TAY (Transitional Age Youth) Unit

Impact To The Community:

Our proposed TAY unit would help incarcerated youth, aged anywhere between 18-25, with their transition out of the justice system. We know that our current justice system is very binary, labeling 18 year iolds as legal adults, which results in youth of color, who are disproportionately impacted by policing, in facing harsher/longer sentences despite scientific evidence that brain development is not complete until age 25. This unit will recognize the unique developmental needs for this age group and address the high rates of recidivism within the justice system for transitional age youth. They will be provided opportunities for rehabilitation and transformation rather than punitive measures that increase harm.

Initiative:

Creating a Transitional Age Unit within the County probations department that would help incarcerated youth (18-25) with their transition out of the system. All staff/adults working with or in contact with young individuals within the system should be trained in trauma-informed care and youth-adult partnership (developed in partnership with system-experienced youth). This Unit will also include: –Age-Appropriate Supervision/Treating Young People as Young People:18-25 year old youth supervised by adults trained to meet their needs in facilities, including qualified community-based homes, that promote development rather than inflicting harm. –Culturally responsive justice system with expert-led indigenous healing circles for youth and transitional aged youth -Trauma-informed youth-adult partnership training designed and conducted by system-impacted youth in coordination with adult allies/partners -Alternative sentencing planner: a social worker who reviews cases to determine if alternatives to detention are appropriate for young defendants and provide recommendations aimed to transform not punish