Fives in the Fifth

July 1, 2010 marked five years of dedication to ending the practice of trying, sentencing and incarcerating youth in the adult criminal justice system. To celebrate, the Campaign for Youth Justice is launching the ‘Fives in the Fifth’ campaign. We can expand grassroots campaigns on the ground in new states to show support for reform.

Help us launch campaigns in new states by donating $5, $50, or $500 today! With your help we have been able to:

• End automatic prosecution for thousands of youth as adults
• Limit the placement of youth in adult jails
• Ensure parents and families know who to turn to for help
• Elevate the voices of youth, parents and families in the public debate

The Faces:

The Facts:

Prosecuting youth in the adult criminal justice system is:

Inhumane Thousands of kids face physical and sexual abuse - and suicide - every year as they languish in adult jails and prisons having been charged or sentenced in adult courts

Unjust The system disproportionately affects African-American, Native American and Latino youth, who are treated more harshly by the adult justice system than white youth for similar offenses.

Ineffective These punitive policies just don't work - and in fact, research by the Department of Justice shows that they decrease public safety.

Federal and state policymakers won't take action to change these policies unless they hear from their constituents. More grassroots campaigns are needed on the ground in states to show support for the reform.

To Donate:

Donations can be made online or by check. To donate online, click the button below:

To donate by mail, please make your check out to "Campaign for Youth Justice" and mail to: Campaign for Youth Justice 1012 14th Street, N.W., Suite 610 Washington, DC 20005