The Youth Justice Project (YJP) is a youth-led group of Durham Public School (DPS) students of color who are committed to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and achieving educational justice. We envision a future in which young people of color attend schools that lift them up, not pat them down; live in communities that follow their […]
#CounselorsNotCops Video by SCSJ’s Design Intern, Emma Daniel
SCSJ’s Design Intern and NC State University student, Emma Daniel, created a powerful video for the #CounselorsNotCops campaign.
#CounselorsNotCops Infographics Reveal Policing Disparities in Wake County Public Schools
Black and Latinx students should have a safe learning environment. But for many students of color, school police do not equal safety. In Wake County Public Schools, where there are over 70 hired police officers, 22% of students are Black but they make up 73% of students referred to juvenile or adult court by school […]
The State of Discipline in NC Schools
The data analysis from the Youth Justice Project found that: Although out-of-school suspension is down, students are still too often removed from class for disciplinary reasons. Tens of thousands of young children were suspended last school year. Black students were more likely to be suspended than white students. There is not enough information about the […]
Know Your Rights
Over the past two decades, there has been a drastic increase in the number of police officers patrolling public schools. Since 1995-1996, it is estimated that the number of School Resource Officers in North Carolina schools has risen by over 300%. Given the increased presence of police in schools, it is critical that students (and all people) […]
Misdemeanor Diversion Program
The Youth Justice Project works to support innovative partnerships and programs that keep youth out of the court system. In North Carolina, an example of this is our work with pre-arrest Misdemeanor Diversion Programs (MDPs). MDPs are diversion programs for 16- and 17-year olds that operate pre-arrest and pre-charge, before a child has to face all of […]
Racial Equity Report Cards
View this year’s Racial Equity Report Cards here. Prior year’s Racial Equity Report Cards are available for 2016, 2017, and 2018. View statewide maps of the racial equity disparities by clicking the links below: Demographic Disparities Academic Disparities Discipline Disparities What are the Racial Equity Report Cards (RERCs)?The RERCs use public data to provide a snapshot of […]
A Mother’s Fight for Justice
State of Discipline in NC Schools
The data analysis from the Youth Justice Project found that: Although out-of-school suspension is down, students are still too often removed from class for disciplinary reasons. Tens of thousands of young children were suspended last school year. Black students were more likely to be suspended than white students. There is not enough information about the […]
Impact of Raise the Age on MDPs
The Youth Justice Project works to support innovative partnerships and programs that keep youth out of the court system. In North Carolina, an example of this is our work with pre-arrest Misdemeanor Diversion Programs (MDPs). MDPs are diversion programs for 16- and 17-year olds that operate pre-arrest and pre-charge, before a child has to face the […]
Raise the Age NC: Fairer, Safer, Smarter
Raise the Age
North Carolina recently ended its practice of charging 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. We are working on changing this reality. This YouTube playlist was created for our Raise the Age Advocacy Day. For more information on what you can do to #RaisetheAge, visit raisetheagenc.org.
Misdemeanor Diversion Program Fact Sheet
The Youth Justice Project works to support innovative partnerships and programs that keep youth out of the court system. In North Carolina, an example of this is our work with pre-arrest Misdemeanor Diversion Programs (MDPs). MDPs are diversion programs for 16- and 17-year olds that operate pre-arrest and pre-charge, before a child has to face the […]
Misdemeanor Diversion Program Issue Brief
The Youth Justice Project works to support innovative partnerships and programs that keep youth out of the court system. In North Carolina, an example of this is our work with pre-arrest Misdemeanor Diversion Programs (MDPs). MDPs are diversion programs for 16- and 17-year olds that operate pre-arrest and pre-charge, before a child has to face the […]
Youth Justice Voices: Karen Simon
Karen Simon, former Director of Inmate Programs-Mecklenburg County, talks about the struggles 16 and 17-year-old youth faced while being held in solitary confinement in a North Carolina county adult jail. On June 15, 2016, during post-production of this interview, the North Carolina state prison system ended the practice of solitary confinement for its youngest, incarcerated […]
Youth Justice Voices: David Brannon
David Brannon, an attorney in Wake County who advocates for juveniles, talks about the systemic issues with the juvenile justice system and recommends solutions.
Youth Justice Voices: Sharif Deveaux
Sharif Deveaux, an assistant public defender at the Wake County Public Defenders Office, talks about his experience defending juveniles and the stigmas and consequences associated with the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
Youth Justice Voices: Brandy Bynum
Brandy Bynum, a life-long activist, youth advocate and board member of Youth Justice North Carolina, talks about the importance of raising the age of jurisdiction in North Carolina and shares ideas on how to ameliorate North Carolina’s accelerated school-to-prison pipeline.