After decades of increasing reliance on incarceration, there are currently 2.2 million people in federal and state jails and prisons in the United States. An alarming number of these inmates are young people – most of whom are non-violent offenders and youth-of-color.

Rehabilitation, not Incarceration, is the challenge we face. The solution is the Youth PROMISE Act.

In a nutshell:

• The Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education (“Youth PROMISE”) Act  supports communities facing the greatest youth gang, delinquency and crime challenges to develop a local plan to nurture young people.
• The bill was developed by a vast coalition of youth advocates, educators, mental health practitioners, members of the bar and judiciary, law enforcement officials, researchers, families and youth.
• The Youth Promise Act does not change the current criminal code, nor does it amend, add, or eliminate any penalties.

Take Action!

Send a letter to Congress.