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Campaign Unavailable We're sorry, this alert is no longer available. If you would like to learn more about ways you can take action, please visit NYCLU E-Activism.The short explanation of this alert was: The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has proposed closing six youth prisons as part of a larger effort to reform our state's troubled juvenile justice system. In March, the New York State Senate released its budget bill that puts funding back in for three upstate facilities: Auburn, Brace and Great Valley. The Senate's attempt to keep these facilities open is particularly outrageous given that they are virtually empty. Currently, there are no children in Auburn, only three children at Brace and 11 at Great Valley (all are 24-25 bed facilities). The cost to keep one bed in one of these facilities is $140,000 to $200,000. Maintaining these facilities will only perpetuate the racial and regional disparities that characterize the state's juvenile justice system. Black and Latino youth comprise 86 percent of inmates of juvenile detention facilities statewide, a figure much higher than their representation in the population. About 60 percent of youth in state custody come from New York City, which is also disproportionate to the state population. These young people are locked away far from their families, who should be intimately involved in their rehabilitation process. Commissioner Carrion has set New York State on the right path towards reform of this broken system. Now we need to give her our support. Please send a free fax below to key legislators urging them to support the OCFS facility closures!
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