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Featured Article for October 2009
What We Didn't Know
Vicky Gunderson, parent of a youth prosecuted as an adult in Onalaska, Wisconsin, tells her story and asks for support. She says:
"June 18th, 2005 was a life changing day in the lives of the Gunderson family of four: Mom, Dad and two sons, Kirk and Jay. Kirk had celebrated his 17th birthday the week prior and had his entire life ahead of him. He would be a senior in the fall, was a pitcher for American Legion Baseball, work[ed] as a retail salesperson in a sporting goods store, [and was] preparing for his senior pictures....
[Beginning in middle school] Kirk...suffered several concussions while playing sports.... As a sophomore a decision needed to be made that Kirk [could no longer] play contact sports. Kirk was not an outstanding athlete; however, he had an immense passion for whatever he chose to do.... [Thus], as the hockey season approached in his junior year, he struggled emotionally and mentally about not being able to skate.... His friends changed, his choices changed, his faith changed, and his love for life changed.... On the evening of June 18th...due to the influences of drugs and alcohol, Kirk stabbed his Dad and his brother....
You need to know Dad and brother are doing fine; they are both survivors. But, what we did not know was in the state of Wisconsin, a 17-year-old, no matter...the crime, [is] considered an adult in the criminal justice system.... Wisconsin is one of ten states which have a law labeling teenagers...as adults.... A life lesson immediately began for the Gunderson family, their relatives and families, and their friends.
Kirk was incarcerated with adults: 20 years old, 35 years old, and 65 years old. I was unfamiliar with the location of the jail and did not know anything about the justice system.... Kirk was incarcerated in the county jail until he took his life by suicide December 27, 2005.
Since Kirk's death I have been advocating for ending the practice of trying, sentencing, and incarcerating youth under the age of 18 in the adult criminal justice system. [Part of this advocacy] is...supporting the [reauthorization of the] Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA)... Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) is a core foundation [in these efforts]. Currently, you and I can make a difference by supporting CFYJ's JOIN THE MOVEMENT campaign. For more details on how you can Take Action please go to www.campaignforyouthjustice.org and click 'Change the System.'"
e-Newsletter
June 2009 CFYJ Newsletter (PDF 208 KB)
May 2009 CFYJ Newsletter (PDF 266 KB)
April 2009 CFYJ Newsletter (PDF 229 KB)
March 2009 CFYJ Newsletter (PDF 237 KB)
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