In a report published in 2012, Public Policy Associates researchers found that youth of color made up 53% of 17-year-olds serving sentences in adult facilities. Last week, state representatives testified in favor of a bill that would alternatively classify 17-year-olds as juveniles instead of adults, and a Michigan State University researcher, Ruben Martinez, cited PPA research in a report highlighting the benefits of trying 17-year-olds as juveniles.
“This legislation is an important step toward aligning state policy with the evidence of what works, as research clearly demonstrates that young people, communities, and taxpayers are better served by policies that rehabilitate youth and give them a path to becoming productive, law-abiding adults” said PPA Project Manager, Robb Burroughs.
Read more about this proposed bill.