Urge Gov. Cuomo and NY State Legislators to Pass Comprehensive Raise the Age Legislation

Thousands of New York adolescents are processed in the adult criminal justice system, subject to adult jails and prisons, and saddled with criminal records that impact the rest of their lives. Treating young people in the adult criminal justice system increases their likelihood of being abused, and increases the likelihood that they will commit more crimes and return to the criminal justice system in the future.

New York is one of two states that automatically treats all 16 and 17 year olds as adults in the criminal justice system. New York State’s Adopted FY2015-16 Budget has taken a big step toward ending New York's Cradle to Prison Pipeline by including funding to Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility in New York. However, the funding will only become available if Raise the Age legislation is passed before the end of session in June.

Please enter your information below to send a message to Governor Cuomo and New York State Legislators asking them to pass comprehensive Raise the Age legislation this session!

Recipients

Your Governor
Your State Senator or Senators
Your State Representative or Representatives

Contact

*Required fields

* Title:

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Your Email:

* Address 1:

Address 2:

* City:

* State / Province:

* ZIP / Postal Code:

* Phone Number:

Remember me. What's this?

If you take action and have not already registered, you will receive periodic updates and communications from Children's Defense Fund.

Message

Raise the Age of Criminal Responsibility This Session!

Dear [Decision Maker],

I am writing to you because I want New York to RAISE THE AGE of criminal responsibility! It's time to treat children as children and stop the pipeline to prison that all too often results in marginalized lives, incarceration and long-term collateral consequences.

* Personalize your message

I am grateful that the New York State Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 includes funding to Raise the Age. I am urging you to take the next step and pass comprehensive Raise the Age legislation this session. A comprehensive approach is in the best interests of New York's children and youth, communities and community safety, as well as the State's economy.

Treating children as adults in the criminal justice system is short-sighted and ineffective. Youth incarcerated in adult facilities are more likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse and to recidivate realities that are at odds with the goal of rehabilitating youth and protecting public safety.

Research has proven that adolescents' brains are not fully developed and in fact continue developing until they are in their 20s. This is why youth are sometimes more impulsive and less able to think about future consequences. With appropriate interventions, youth are able to learn to make more responsible choices.
Rather than continuing to lock young people up in adult facilities, it is critical for New York to ensure that that youth involved in the criminal justice system are provided with court processes, services and placement options (including incarceration) that are developmentally appropriate. New York State cannot remain one of only two states to automatically process youth as young as 16 in an adult system.

New York's children and youth cannot wait--please Raise the Age today!

Your Constituent and Dedicated Child Advocate,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]