Our mission is to end the criminalization of youth.

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves:

The language we use matters. That’s why we’ve decided to drop the juvenile and focus on the justce. Learn more at ctja.org

What’s Happening Now

News • Calls To Action • Top Issues • Announcements

Message on Attack on the Capitol

Christina Quaranta Takes Over as Executive Director of the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance

The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance (CTJJA) today announced that Christina Quaranta has officially taken over as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2021.

OP-ED | Jordyn Wilson - Prison is no place for a child, especially during a pandemic

COVID-19 has proven that detaining our youth is a choice. We can choose better.

Executive Director Abby Anderson to Step Down After 16 Years with CTJJA

Read Abby’s Letter

CT VOICES: Issue Briefing Book

“The Issue Briefing Book 2020-2022 is designed to be a starting point for shared knowledge around the research and recommendations that are fundamental to family economic security and the undergirding fiscal and economics, with the hope of advancing shared action.”

OP-ED | Iliana Pujols & Brandon Scott - Parks, Not Punishment, For Dirt Bikers

Why are we so obsessed with punishment?

Sticker Shock 2020: The Cost of Youth Incarceration

Today the Justice Policy Institute released an updated version of their 2014 report Sticker Shock: Calculating the Full Price Tag for Youth Incarceration that examined the high cost of youth incarceration and how to use money more efficiently.

CTJJA TESTIMONY: LCO #3471 An Act Concerning Police Accountability

TESTIMONY OF THE CONNECTICUT JUVENILE JUSTICE ALLIANCE TO THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WITH COMMENTS ON DRAFT LCO #3471 AN ACT CONCERNING POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY JULY 17, 2020

OP-ED | Iliana Pujols - It’s Time to Invest in Success, Not Arrest

There comes a point when progress isn’t enough. Especially if Black and brown communities aren’t able to access the fruit of that progress.

Our state may be a prime example of that.

REPORT: Ending the Criminalization of Youth - One Investment at a Time

“Ending the Criminalization of Youth: One Investment at a Time,” outlines calls to actions to address the root causes of youth criminalization developed through our vision sessions with system-impacted youth, families, and community members.

STATEMENT: CTJJA Condemns Murder of George Floyd, Supports Ensuing Protests (Copy)

The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance Condemns the Murder of George Floyd and Continued Instances of Police Brutality and Abuse of Power, Stands in Full Solidarity with Protesters in Connecticut and Across the Country

#FreeOurYouth (Copy)

Connecticut Justice Alliance

10 days into 2022 & we're hitting the ground running with things to do!
Jan 10, 2022, 4:19 PM
Connecticut Justice Alliance

🎯 https://t.co/5ZQpYpjELg
Jan 10, 2022, 12:57 PM
Connecticut Justice Alliance

RT @BitaSmalls: This is definitely a conversation #WaterburyCt leaders should tune into. https://t.co/kHvNBGXHxM
Jan 7, 2022, 10:00 AM

build a new table

Amplify youth voices

Our Justice Advisors represent CTJJA’s most important allies -- youth directly impacted by Connecticut’s juvenile justice system.

Together, the Alliance works to amplify youth voices by:

Getting a “seat at the table” for system-involved youth, so they can directly impact juvenile justice policymaking
Working alongside youth leaders to build an entirely new table rooted in equity