In response to the announcement by Governor Terry McAuliffe of the awarding of service coordinator contracts for a statewide continuum of evidence-based treatment services and alternatives to placement in state-operated juvenile correctional centers, the RISE for Youth coalition issued the following statement:
“These contracts are a critical step forward in Virginia developing a robust statewide network of community-based accountability and treatment services for youth who would otherwise be held in juvenile prisons.
Virginia’s current large juvenile prisons do not make our communities safer or rehabilitate our youth, and are not effective at putting youth on a path toward law-abiding lives. A continuum of evidence-informed community services for youth will improve the lives of children and the safety of all citizens of the Commonwealth by reducing recidivism.
RISE for Youth looks forward to assisting the service coordinators and Department of Juvenile Justice as they work to identify and develop appropriate services across Virginia.”
RISE for Youth is a nonpartisan campaign in support of community alternatives to youth incarceration. Member organizations and coalition principles are listed on the RISE for Youth website: riseforyouth.org