National Coming Out Day Discussion: LGBTQ Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

LGBTQ Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Welcome – Ian Palmquist, Equality Federation What do we know about LGBTQ youth in the juvenile justice system? – Naomi Goldberg, Movement Advancement Project Recommendations for Reform – Shannan Wilber, National Center for Lesbian Rights and Aisha Canfield, Impact Justice Q&A and Discussion

Our social media campaign highlights the plight of LGBTQ youth, youth of color, and all youth who are incarcerated. The page serves up resources, infographics, and more. The pledge will help us identify a base of supporters in the states, and contacts will be shared with our state partners. http://eqfed.org/youth

LGBTQ youth in the juvenile justice system What do we know about LGBTQ youth in the juvenile justice system? What are the pathways to the system for LGBTQ youth? Why may they be overrepresented? What are LGBTQ youth’s experiences in the juvenile justice system?

Comprehensive report released in August Latest research and statistics Stories Innovative programs Recommendations Broader report series www.lgbtmap.org/criminal-justice

LGBTQ Youth Are Overrepresented in the System Source: Angela Irvine and Aisha Canfield, “LGBQ/GNCT Youth in the U.S. Justice System,” Impact Justice, 2016.

Why are LGBTQ Youth Are Overrepresented?

Why are LGBTQ Youth Are Overrepresented? LGBTQ youth are failed by key systems: families, schools, communities, child welfare systems

Why are LGBTQ Youth Are Overrepresented? Discrimination leads to criminalization: discriminatory enforcement of laws, drug laws, anti-prostitution laws, harmful policing strategies

What are the experiences of LGBTQ youth in the system?

What are the experiences of LGBTQ youth in the system? In juvenile justice facilities: unsafe placement and high rates of abuse and mistreatment

Keeping LGBTQ Youth Out of the Juvenile Justice System Recommendations: Keeping LGBTQ Youth Out of the Juvenile Justice System Shannan Wilber Youth Project Director National Center for Lesbian Rights swilber@nclrights.org

Interrupt the Pipelines Increase family acceptance and support Increase family stability and security Ensure safe and affirming schools Reform punitive school discipline policies Create opportunities for positive peer support Strengthen safety nets Services for youth experiencing homelessness Affirming child welfare services

Dismantling Institutional Bias Prohibit police profiling and discrimination Eliminate discriminatory laws and enforcement Strengthen due process protections at every stage Reduce the use of detention Eliminate youth prisons Reinvest savings in community-based services Change financial incentives

Improve Transition Support Individualize re-entry services Engage and support youth and families Prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, education Eliminate barriers to successful reintegration Ban the box Expunge juvenile records Fair housing laws Student loans and tax credits Provide accessible and effective substance abuse treatment Provide LGBTQ affirming health and behavioral health care

Policy Researcher and Analyst Impact Justice Recommendations Reforming the Current System to Improve the Treatment of LGBQ/GNCT Youth Aisha Canfield, MPP acanfield@impactjustice.org Policy Researcher and Analyst Impact Justice

Reduce Discrimination in The Juvenile Justice System Build system’s capacity to improve the treatment of LGBQ/GNCT youth (of color) by: leveraging federal and state funding for training developing and implementing nondiscrimination policies intentionally hiring members of various communities that reflect the identities and experiences of youth in the system

Improve Safety of and Access to Resources For LGBQ/GNCT Youth Make decisions on a case-by-case basis that consider SOGIE by: implementing SOGIE data collection systems giving agency to young people to determine how their SOGIE data is shared (if at all) with other youth and staff in the facility housing youth according to present gender identity and sense of safety allowing transgender and gender nonconforming youth access to clothing, grooming products and programming  that align with their gender identity incorporating silent communication that signals support, intentionality, and safety creating safe and meaningful procedures for youth to file grievances  

Central Valley Two year project (ongoing) Approximately 12 probation departments in the Central Valley Two rounds of training on background, needs and SOGIE data collection – line staff and T4T followed by group and individual coaching Initial data analysis for the region to determine regional population of LGB/GNCT youth in detention Upcoming: Linking SOGIE data questions to other data fields to identify specific points of disparity (arrest offense v. sustained offense, placements, etc.) Creation of nondiscrimination policies

Q&A and Discussion To ask a question: Type a question into the chat feature OR Click “Raise Hand” at bottom right of your screen and we will unmute your line

Share your experiences Thank you & next steps Learn more Research and best practices about LGBTQ youth in the system - Impact Justice Advocacy efforts and sign the pledge - Equality Federation Research, litigation, and best practices - National Center for Lesbian Rights Research and advocacy efforts - Youth First Read and share the report - MAP Share your experiences