Young Adults and Criminal Justice: Contexts of Violence, Community Justice, Jail, and Sentencing

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Young adults are also more likely than other age groups to come into contact with the criminal justice system, as both victims and those committing crime. Justice system involvement compounds the already unique transitions naturally occurring for young adults. Although research suggests that the brain is continually developing and maturing through the mid-twenties and that young people are more amenable to treatment, young adults (defined here as 18-24 year olds) are primarily served in adult justice settings that promote more punitive and correctional forms of punishment. This panel seeks to explore the experiences of young adults that are involved in, or have been affected by, the justice system from multiple perspectives, including issues of violence, community engagement, practices and programming in jails, and sentencing.

Sub Unit

• Area VII: Criminal Justice Policy and Practice / 38: Corrections

Individual Presentations

• Justice Community: An Evaluation of a Civic Engagement and Employment Program for Justice-Involved Young Adults - Jennifer Ferone, Vera Institute of Justice

• Young Adults in Jail: National Practices and Programming - Nicolas Montano, Vera Institute of Justice

• Unpacking Violence: Deconstructing Understandings of Violence in Criminal Justice - Saadiq Bey, Vera Institute of Justice

• Prosecuting Emerging Adults: The Effects of Age on Screening, Charging, and Sentencing Decisions - Don Stemen, Loyola University Chicago

Chair

• Ryan Shanahan, Vera Institute of Justice

Discussant

• Todd Clear, Rutgers University