Homelessness and Juvenile Justice

1. Homelessness and Juvenile Justice Policy Reform and Practice Collaboration to Reduce Homelessness and Justice-System Involvement

2. About Coalition for Juvenile Justice • CJJ is a nationwide coalition of State Advisory Groups (SAGs) and allies dedicated to preventing children and youth from becoming involved in the courts and upholding the highest standards of care when youth are charged with wrongdoing and enter the justice system. • Supports a broad and active coalition across all 56 U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia, as the nonprofit association of Governor-appointed SAG members operating under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). • CJJ members include concerned individuals, practitioners, advocates, and youth who voluntarily serve at the state and national levels. CJJ serves and supports SAGs that are principally responsible for monitoring and supporting their state’s progress in addressing the four core requirements of the JJDPA.

3. Each year over 1 million youth will have some involvement with law enforcement or the justice system. Nearly 400,000 youth will be on their own and homeless for some period of time. Homeless and justice-involved youth are both also disproportionately Black or Hispanic youth, and lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Similar circumstances and situations can lead to both homelessness and justice-involvement (e.g., family challenges, unmet mental health needs). Homelessness and Juvenile Justice Sources: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention;National Alliance to End Homelessness; National Network for Youth, The Equity Project; True Colors Fund

4. Limited national research, but we do have some local data: A 2008 study found that 60 percent of homeless youth had been fined for “quality-of-life offenses”—when they can’t pay the fines associated with these citations, many will be issued a warrant and ultimately arrested. At least two studies of California youth found that 25% of youth exiting juvenile detention, group homes or foster care stayed on the street or in a shelter their first night out of the system. A study of Minnesota youth found that “46% had been in a correctional facility, and of those, 44% exited into an unstable housing situation.” Homelessness and Juvenile Justice Bernstein, N., & Foster, L. (2008). Voices from the street: A survey of homeless youth by their peers; Nellis, Ashley, and Hooks Wayman, Richard. Back on Track: Supporting Youth Reentry from Out-of-Home Placement to the Community, 2009, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition.

5. Interviewed 654 runaway and homeless youth in 11 U.S. cities and found that, at some point in their lives: Nearly 44% had stayed in a jail, prison or juvenile detention center. Almost 78% had at least one interaction with the police, and nearly 62% had been arrested. ACYF Street Outreach Program Data Collection Project Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau: Street Outreach Program Data Collection Project Final Report (April 2016).

6. Homeless youth are more likely to experience: Mental health and substance abuse issues Victimization and justice-involvement Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies Education and employment challenges Justice involvement, particularly secure detention, has been linked with: Later involvement in the criminal justice system Physical or mental health problems Poor educational outcomes Difficulty in the labor market later in life Dangers of Homelessness and the Juvenile Justice System Sources: National Network for Youth, Issue Brief: Consequences of Youth Homelessness; Justice Policy Institute (B. Holman & J. Zeidenberg): Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities

7. How does homelessness contribute to justice involvement? “Researchers emphasize that criminal offenses or illegal acts committed by runaways and youth experiencing homelessness are frequently motivated by basic survival needs, such as food and shelter; the presence of adverse situations, such as hunger and unemployment; self-medication through use of alcohol and drugs; and a lack of opportunities for legitimate self-support.” Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau: Street Outreach Program Data Collection Project Final Report (April 2016) Citing Kaufman & Widom, 1999; McCarthy & Hagan, 2001; Whitbeck & Hoyt, 1999.

8. Status Offense Laws: Juvenile curfews, running away, “ungovernability,” truancy “Quality of Life” Ordinances: Anti-sitting, anti-camping, panhandling, etc. Survival crimes: Theft, trespass, etc. How does homelessness contribute to justice involvement?

9. Exacerbates already volatile family circumstances Disrupts education and hurts job opportunities; hindering ability to pay rent Challenges relating to public housing How does justice involvement lead to homelessness(immediate or long-term)?

10. Identify and work to meet underlying needs. Cross-system collaboration; non-justice responses. Stakeholder training (law enforcement, judges) More prevention and diversion opportunities, including housing-related services. Better transition planning for youth exiting the juvenile justice system, including housing, education, employment, family-focused services. Ensure efforts reach youth of color and LGBT youth. How do we start to address these challenges?

11. For more information Lisa Pilnik, Deputy Exec. Director, Coalition for Juvenile Justice, 202-467-0864, ext. 111 pilnik@juvjustice.org