Is an 88-Bed Juvenile Jail the Best Plan for Bridgeport’s Young People?
The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance has been working with the Stop the Jail Coalition, a group of nearly 100 organizations and concerned citizens. The Stop the Jail Coalition has been working to ask the state of Connecticut to reconsider the project based on numerous questions surrounding the scope, location and need of the project.While the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance agrees we need a new juvenile courthouse, the proposed plan would add unnecessary detention beds at the expense of other much-needed services.
GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE DETENTION CENTER:
Click here for our Action Alert on the Detention Center
Although juvenile crime has decreased by 50%, the state is proposing to increase detention capacity in Bridgeport by 252%! Our action alert explains our opposition to the expansion and what you can do to help.
Click here for the Alliance’s presentation about the proposed detention Center
This brief presentation explains what detention is, the recent trends in juvenile crime and why we don’t need a bigger detention center in Bridgeport. To schedule a presentation for your group, please e-mail our Info Center.
Click here for data about juvenile crime in Connecticut
According to the FBI, juvenile crime in Connecticut has been decreasing steadily for the past decade. In Fairfield County, where the new detention center would be built, juvenile crime has decreased 50% since 1994!
Click here for the Casey Foundation’s “Pathways” Series
Pathways is a series of publications produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). The objectives of JDAI are to reduce the number of children unnecessarily or inappropriately detained; to minimize the number of youth who fail to appear in court or reoffend pending adjudication; to redirect public funds toward successful reform strategies; and to improve conditions of confinement.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Join our Listserv and stay informed
Click here to join the “Stop the Jail” Listserv
Over 100 individuals and groups have signed up to receive information and action alerts on this issue. Click on the link above, enter your e-mail address and choose “JAIL” as the list you want to join.
2. Call, write or e-mail the Governor
Call, Write or e-mail the Governor and ask her to reconsider the scope of this project:
Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
(800) 406-1527[email protected] 3. Demand that the Bridgeport City Council Address This Issue
If you live in Bridgeport, ask your City Councilperson for a resolution asking the state of Connecticut to reconsider this project.
On June 15, 2004, a public hearing was held regarding the detention center in the Bridgeport City Council Chamber. Nearly 50 people testified on that evening. ONLY 2 PEOPLE TESTIFIED ON THE RECORD IN FAVOR OF THIS PROJECT. In spite of the overwhelming opposition to this project, the City Council has not addressed this issue. While this is ultimately a state decision, the Council should use its influence to express the will of the people.
Click here to read the Alliance’s testimony from the June 15th Public hearing
Click here to find your Councilperson’s contact information
MEDIA COVERAGE OF OUR CAMPAIGN:
Our efforts have receive coverage from the Bridgeport News, Cablevision News 12, Conneticut Post, Hartford Courant, Fox 61, News Channel 8, and other media outlets. In the coming weeks, we will add links to all the articles and video footage.
