17 YEAR OLDS NOW PART OF THE JUVNILE SYSTEM

BOSTON – Minority Whip, Representative Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich) is proud to announce that today Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill that would move 17-year-olds accused of crimes to the juvenile justice system. Jointly filled in the House by Representative Kay Kahn (D- Newton) and Representative Hill, this law now leaves the ability to try juveniles as adults up to the decision of the prosecution for violent offence, but moves 17-year-olds into the juvenile system making Massachusetts in compliance with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.

The House and Senate had both unanimously passed the measure, which brings Massachusetts in line with most states. Extensive research has shown that young people who remain in the juvenile system are more likely to reform and safer than children held in adult facilities, where the risk of sexual assault and suicide is high.

“The juvenile system is designed to hold kids accountable while giving them the tools to be successful. They must attend school and participate in counseling and other programs that will help them stay out of trouble when they inevitably return to their communities,” said Governor Patrick, who has made youth violence and prevention a priority.

“This is a victory for public safety. It’s well documented that kids who remain in the juvenile system are less likely to reoffend. Raising the age will reduce crime in our communities,” said Naoka Carey, executive director of Citizens for Juvenile Justice. “Governor Patrick and legislators on both sides of the aisle have done right by Massachusetts kids – and by every citizen in the Commonwealth.”

“The legislation signed into law today will go a long way in ensuring that juveniles receive the proper guidance and assistance when accused of committing minor crimes,” said House Minority Whip, Representative Bradford R. Hill “By utilizing this more appropriate method of dealing with adolescent offenders, the Commonwealth has taken an important step towards keeping the affected youth from reoffending, and instead setting them on the right path.”

The reform will go into effect immediately, bringing Massachusetts in compliance with federal law.

“Mixing kids with adult prisoners exposes them to bad influences and puts them at risk of harm. The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act requires that prisoners under 18, because of their extreme vulnerability, be separated from older inmates. Now Massachusetts is in compliance with federal law – and more importantly, we are doing what is right to protect kids,” said Sherriff Peter Koutoujian.  The Massachusetts Sheriffs Association was a key supporter of the reform, arguing that, in addition to keeping kids safe, the reform would save the state money.

“The slogan used to be: Get tough on crime. Increasingly people are talking about getting smart on crime. The community-based programs of the juvenile system are more successful at keeping the public safe and cost less than adult incarceration.  This is the direction we need to be going,” said state Senator Karen Spilka, the bill’s lead sponsor in the Senate.

“Bipartisan support was key to this bill’s passage. This reform is about fairness, opportunity, public safety and wise use of public resources. These are things we value on both sides of the aisle,” said state Rep Brad Hill, one of the bill’s lead sponsors.

“We always talk about how important youth are, but our policies often fall short of our words. Today Massachusetts took an important step. We decided that 17 is far too young to give up on a kid. Now thousands of kids who would have been lost to the adult system have a chance to grow into productive citizens,” said state Rep. Kay Khan, a lead sponsor and long-time champion of the reform.