1. Youth First Initiative National Survey Results and Analysis

2. Survey conducted January 9 – 18, 2017
Survey Methodology
Figure 1
Survey conducted January 9 – 18, 2017
1,001 interviews among adults online using a web-based panel. Care was taken to ensure that the sample is representative of the U.S. adult population. Margin of error +/- 3.1 percentage points at 95% confidence level

3. Punishment vs. Prevention

4. Americans Overwhelmingly Favor Prevention And Rehabilitation Over Punishment And Incarceration
Compared to the way things are now, when it comes to the youth justice system, do you think there should be more focus on punishment and incarceration or more focus on prevention and rehabilitation?

5. Support For Prevention And Rehabilitation Strong And Broad Across Gender And Partisan Lines
Compared to the way things are now, when it comes to the youth justice system, do you think there should be more focus on punishment and incarceration or more focus on prevention and rehabilitation?

6. Support For Prevention And Rehabilitation Strong Across The Country
Compared to the way things are now, when it comes to the youth justice system, do you think there should be more focus on punishment and incarceration or more focus on prevention and rehabilitation?

7. Punishment and Incarceration Prevention and Rehabilitation
Strong Support For Focus On Prevention/Rehabilitation Regardless Of Experience With The Criminal Justice System
Figure 6
Whether you know someone impacted by the criminal justice system, been a victim of crime, or have a family member in law enforcement, support is consistent for an emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation
2016
2017
Punishment and Incarceration
Prevention and Rehabilitation
FAMILY OR FRIEND TIME IN PRISON
Yes 20 80 No 24 76 23
FAMILY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 77 31 69 21 79
CRIME VICTIM 78

8. Youth Justice Reform Proposals

9. Broad Support For The Youth Justice Reform Policy Agenda
Design treatment and rehabilitation plans that include a youth's family in planning and services.
Provide financial incentives for states and municipalities to invest in alternatives to youth incarceration, such as intensive rehabilitation, education, job training, community services, and programs that provide youth the opportunity to repair harm to victims and communities.
Require states to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the youth justice system.
Increase funding to provide more public defenders who represent children in court.

10. Support Consistent Or Rising For Each Youth Reform Measure
Next you will read some proposals that have been made to reform the youth justice system. For each, please indicate whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose that proposal.
2016 Total Favor
2017 Total Favor
Design treatment and rehabilitation plans that include a youth's family in planning and services. 89 90
Provide financial incentives for states and municipalities to invest in alternatives to youth incarceration, such as intensive rehabilitation, education, job training, community services, and programs that provide youth the opportunity to repair harm to victims and communities. 83 87
Require states to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the youth justice system. 70 75
Increase funding to provide more public defenders who represent children in court. 69 76

11. Support Is Up Across Racial Lines For Each Proposal
Next you will read some proposals that have been made to reform the youth justice system. For each, please indicate whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose that proposal.
2016
2017
% Total Favor
White
African American
Hispanic
Include Family 89 91 88 90 93
Alternatives 81 83 86 92
Public Defenders 68 80 71 72 85
Racial Disparities 66 84

12. Support Up Among Republicans For Addressing Racial Disparities And Funding Public Defenders
Next you will read some proposals that have been made to reform the youth justice system. For each, please indicate whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose that proposal.
2016
2017
% Total Favor
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
Include Family 91 88 87 92 86
Alternatives 83 78 90 77
Public Defenders 73 53 82 66
Racial Disparities 71 52 84 75 64

13. Support For Closing Racial Disparities Remains Highest With Younger Americans
Next you will read some proposals that have been made to reform the youth justice system. For each, please indicate whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose that proposal.
2016
2017
% Total Favor
Under 30
30-39
40-49
50-64
65+
Include Family 87 90 89 88 91 96
Alternatives 80 82 92 85 84 86
Public Defenders 78 72 74 62 64 83 71 66
Racial Disparities 77 73 76 70

14. Broad Strong Support For Reform Proposals For Youth Who Pose A Risk To Public Safety
Create an independent commission of community leaders tasked with ensuring that youth are protected from abuse while in state or local custody.
Require facilities that incarcerate youth to let youth see their families at least once a week.
Require that incarcerated youth are placed in facilities within 60 miles of their families.
Require that youth are placed in facilities with no more than 30 other youth.

15. Support Has Increased from 2017 For All Proposals
Next you will read some proposals that have been made to reform the youth justice system for youth who pose a serious risk to public safety and may need to be in a secure setting. For each, please indicate whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose that proposal.
2016 Total Favor
2017 Total Favor
Create an independent commission of community leaders tasked with ensuring that youth are protected from abuse while in state or local custody. 87 90
Require facilities that incarcerate youth to let youth see their families at least once a week. 86 88
Require that incarcerated youth are placed in facilities within 60 miles of their families. 80 82
Require that youth are placed in facilities with no more than 30 other youth. 72

16. Principles

17. Strong Support For The Basic Principles Underlying Reform
When it comes to youth in the justice system, what is most important is that the system does a better job of making sure that he or she gets back on track and is less likely to commit another offense.
Teaching youth who commit an offense to take responsibility for his or her actions does not require incarceration.
We spend too much taxpayer money on prisons for youth in the justice system.

18. Not required incarceration
Those Connected To Law Enforcement Slightly Less Likely To Agree On All Measures
% Total Agree for Youth Justice Reform Proposals
Focus on rehab
Not required incarceration
Spend too much
FAMILY OR FRIEND TIME IN PRISON
Yes 93 72 62 No 94 68 67
FAMILY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 88 59 95 70 66

19. Steady Support For Rehabilitation Over Incarceration
Which of the following statements do you agree with more?
(REHAB BEST) When it comes to youth who have committed delinquent acts, the best thing for society is to rehabilitate them so they can become productive members of society.
(INCARCERATE BEST) When it comes to youth who commit delinquent acts, the best thing for society is to incarcerate them so that our streets are safer.
2016
2017

20. Americans Continue To Believe Youth Offenders Are Capable of Positive Growth
Which of the following statements do you agree with more?
(CAPABLE OF GROWTH) Most youth who commit delinquent acts are capable of positive growth, and they have the potential to change for the better.
(UNLIKELY TO CHANGE) Most youth who commit delinquent acts are unlikely to change for the better, and they will likely continue a life of illegal behavior.
2016
2017

21. Slight Uptick In Support For Opportunity Over Punishment
Which of the following statements do you agree with more?
(PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY) The youth justice system should provide youth with more opportunity to better themselves.
(FOCUS ON PUNISHMENT) The youth justice system should focus on punishing youth who have committed delinquent acts.
2016
2017

22. Slight Uptick In Support For Rehab As An Argument To Prevent Future Delinquency
Which of the following statements do you agree with more?
2016
2017
(REHAB WORKS) Rehabilitation programs like counseling and education for youth who have committed delinquent acts helps prevent future delinquent acts.
(REHAB DOESN’T WORK) Rehabilitation programs like counseling and education do little to prevent youth who have committed delinquent acts from committing future delinquent acts.

23. Increase In Support For The Rehab As A Cost Savings Argument
Which of the following statements do you agree with more?
2016
2017
(REHAB SAVES MONEY) Rehabilitation programs like counseling and education for youth who have committed delinquent acts will SAVE tax dollars in the long run.
(REHAB COSTS MONEY) Rehabilitation programs like counseling and education for youth who have committed delinquent acts will COST tax dollars in the long run.