¿Dónde Está la Justicia?

A Call to Action on Behalf of the Latino and 
Latina Youth in the U.S Justice System

 

Action Packet

 

July, 2002   Dear Youth Advocate: According to a new Building Blocks for Youth report, “¿DÓNDE ESTÁ LA JUSTICIA?” the justice system treats Latino and Latina youth more harshly than white youth, even when youth are charged for the same types of offenses!   By utilizing this Action Packet, you can take action to: · Address the Disparity and Over-representation of Latino and Latina Youth in the Justice System; · Collect Accurate and Separate Data on Latino and Latina Youth in the Justice System; · Transfer Youth out of INS Detention Facilities and Create Appropriate INS Detention Policies; · Ignore Immigration Status of Latino and Latina Youth in Detention Decisions; · Offer Bilingual Services to Latino and Latina Youth in the System; · Nurture Effective Cultural Competency Policies among Staff Working with Latino and Latina Youth. We hope you find this Action Packet useful in taking action in your community. For additional information, materials, contacts or to get more free copies of this Action Packet, please call us at 202/637-0377, email us at: info.bby@erols.com. Together we can work to end the discrimination and racism against Latino and Latina youth in the justice system.   Sincerely, The Building Blocks for Youth initiative

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS Take Action: Ideas on What You Can Do To Take Action! What Latino and Latina Youth Can Do What Latino and Latina Parents Can Do What Latino Communities Can Do What Advocates and Grassroots Organizers Can Do “How To” Action Steps Community Outreach: Reaching Out to Your Community Organizing Tips for Starting Your Own Youth Justice Campaign Media: “How To” Action Steps for Contacting the Media “Talking Points” for Press Interviews Direct Action: “How To” Action Steps for Organizing a Protest Suggested Steps to Contacting Your Public Officials Action Steps on INS Detention Policies Using this Report to Fund Programs in Your Community Organizing a Juvenile Facility Visit Sample Materials: Community Outreach: Sample Community Outreach Letter Sample Newsletter Article Sample Website and Email Announcement Sample Outreach Flyers Media: Sample Press Release Sample Opinion Editorial Direct Action: Sample Letters to Your Public Officials Sample Letter to Funders Sample Invitation Letter to Visit Your Program Sample Juvenile Facility Visit Community Leader Invite Letter Sample Juvenile Facility Visit Request Letter Facts Sheets: Fact Sheet: Latino and Latina Youth in the Justice System Fact Sheet: Case Examples of Latino and Latina Youth in the Justice System Fact Sheet: Punitive Policies Hit Youth of Color the Hardest Fact Sheet: Transfer of Youth to the Adult Criminal Court Fact Sheet: Juvenile Injustice Fact Sheet: Reducing Inequality in Juvenile Justice Resource Listing: Resources: Youth Justice Campaigns Resources: National Latino Serving Organizations Resources: State and Local Juvenile Justice Reform Collaborations, Coalitions, Networks and Juvenile Justice Reform Campaigns Resources for Parents with Children in the Juvenile Justice System