[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 436 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 436

 Supporting the goals and ideals of October, 2011, as ``National Youth 
                       Justice Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 13, 2011

Mr. Murphy of Connecticut submitted the following resolution; which was 
      referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of October, 2011, as ``National Youth 
                       Justice Awareness Month''.

Whereas youths commit only a small portion of the Nation's crimes and the number 
        of juvenile offenders has steadily declined since 2000;
Whereas approximately 2 million youths come in contact with the juvenile justice 
        system every year;
Whereas close to 87,000 juvenile offenders are held in residential placement 
        facilities every day;
Whereas approximately 250,000 youths are tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as 
        adults every year;
Whereas 10,000 youths are held in adult jails and prisons each night;
Whereas youths who have been charged with non-violent offenses make up \2/3\ of 
        the youths held in detention facilities;
Whereas most of the youths prosecuted in adult court are charged with non-
        violent offenses;
Whereas holding a youth at an adult detention facility increases the risk that 
        the youth will be abused while detained;
Whereas youths who are kept in the juvenile justice system are less likely to 
        re-offend than youths who are transferred into the adult system;
Whereas youths of color are over-represented at all stages in the juvenile 
        justice system;
Whereas community-based programs, including diversion programs, drug treatment 
        programs, evening reporting centers, treatment clinics, and family 
        programs, cost less and help youths stay out of trouble and not re-
        offend more than detention or incarceration; and
Whereas investment in early and appropriate interventions can reduce juvenile 
        recidivism, save money, and increase public safety. Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of ``National Youth 
        Justice Awareness Month''; and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to join with 
        the 30 States and national organizations that will take part in 
        National Youth Justice Awareness Month activities.
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