More than a dozen advocacy groups from across the state have
joined forces to renew a partnership – the Alabama Youth Justice Alliance
(AYJA), formerly AYJC. It is dedicated to ending conditions that are cutting short the
futures of countless young Alabamians every year. The alliance was formed to harness the power of these groups
as they address these statewide issues. They will focus on matters ranging from
harsh school policies that needlessly push children out of class and into the
juvenile justice system to services provided to youth re-entering the community
from the custody of the Department of Youth Services.
The alliance will embark on a listening tour to determine
what juvenile justice issues Alabamians believe should be addressed. It also
will host workshops across the state to inform parents about their legal rights
in school, the juvenile justice system and elsewhere.
"Many of Alabama's children face daunting obstacles in their
lives," said Ebony Howard, a Southern Poverty Law Center juvenile justice
policy expert and coordinator of AYJA. "Whether it's poverty, education or a
juvenile justice system that does little to get young lives back on track,
there's a desperate need for change across the state. That's why we formed the
Alabama Youth Justice Alliance."
The alliance is concerned about schools using police
officers to arrest students for typical adolescent misconduct – a practice that
unnecessarily criminalizes students. It also will work to ensure children held
in juvenile facilities are in a safe environment.
Alliance members include 100 Black Men of Greater
Montgomery, Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, Alabama New South
Coalition–Montgomery Chapter, Alabama New South Coalition–Birmingham Chapter,
Alabama Possible–From the Alabama Poverty Project, Alabama Poverty Project, Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, Birmingham Faith in Action, The
Children's District, Federation of Child Care Centers of Alabama, Legal Aid
Society of Birmingham, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Alabama, Southern
Poverty Law Center and VOICES for Alabama's Children.
