VIRGINIA TOPS ALL states in referring students from school to law enforcement — a dubious distinction that should be cause for concern. Right now there’s a growing recognition that our state’s approach to juvenile justice has to change.
Public officials and advocates are engaged in conversations that could ultimately result in fewer youth behind bars — and increased access to rehabilitative services. After spending four years in and out of secure detention as a teenager, which did far more to stigmatize and discourage me than provide tools to succeed, it’s clear to me these reforms are as necessary as they are overdue.
Read the full op-ed in the Virginian Pilot.