Category: Regional Print

Lockup guard slugged a skinny kid. Prosecutors say it’s justified. Here’s the video.

~ jeffreybutts

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER cmarbin@miamiherald.com [ read original article ] Broward County prosecutors have ruled that a former detention center officer was justified when he slugged a 14-year-old boy in the face — breaking the teen's nose in two places — because the juvenile was aggressive with staff and causing a disturbance in the county's long-troubled lockup. … Continue reading Lockup guard slugged a skinny kid. Prosecutors say it’s justified. Here’s the video.

Program Keeping Convicted Youths Closer to Home Enjoys Success, Faces Cuts

~ jeffreybutts

by Wendy Davis March 2, 2018 City Limits Seventeen-year-old “Jim” landed in a Leake & Watts group home for juvenile delinquents last August, after he stole money from his father to purchase a new phone. Jim, who had previously been arrested for trespassing in a neighbor’s apartment, is now among the oldest of the eight … Continue reading Program Keeping Convicted Youths Closer to Home Enjoys Success, Faces Cuts

Why Does Crime Keep Falling in New York City?

~ jeffreybutts

The John Jay College of Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation Center found that between 2014 and 2016, there was a 50 percent decrease in gun injuries in East New York, Brooklyn and a 37 percent reduction in the South Bronx, two communities where Cure Violence has been implemented. [ read original article ] by Samar … Continue reading Why Does Crime Keep Falling in New York City?

Senselessly Slain Teens Leave Behind Reminders of Cruel Fate Faced Daily in New York City Streets

~ jeffreybutts

by ADAM SHRIER NEW YORK DAILY NEWS January 2, 2018 For Rohan Levy, the line between life and death came down to a teenage gunman who mistook the 15-year-old boy’s friend for a rival gang member. The charismatic Brooklyn teen, with his bright smile and exuberant laugh, was joking with two friends just a half … Continue reading Senselessly Slain Teens Leave Behind Reminders of Cruel Fate Faced Daily in New York City Streets

Florida Juvenile Justice said it Would Weed out Bad Hires. How Did This Guy Slip Through?

~ jeffreybutts

IT’S LORD OF THE FLIES CULTURE WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE MANAGING THESE FACILITIES.WITH STRONG KIDS CONTROLLING THE WEAK KIDS — AND THE STAFF CONTROLLING THE STRONG KIDS. BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER cmarbin@miamiherald.com DECEMBER 16, 2017 It took just two months for Chris W. Jeffries to get into trouble at his new job … Continue reading Florida Juvenile Justice said it Would Weed out Bad Hires. How Did This Guy Slip Through?

Why Don’t Local, State and Federal Crime Numbers Add Up?

~ jeffreybutts

By Beth Burger The Columbus Dispatch October 17, 2017 Each of last year’s homicide victims had families and friends. Most had funerals and burials. All have Columbus police homicide detectives assigned to their cases, pursuing their killers. So it shouldn’t be difficult to figure out how many people were killed, right? It depends on who … Continue reading Why Don’t Local, State and Federal Crime Numbers Add Up?

Lightning Blasted his Shoes off — and Illuminated a Pattern of Abuse by Staff

~ jeffreybutts

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER AND AUDRA D.S. BURCH OCTOBER 10, 2017 -- Miami Herald For two days, Keyon Felder begged a half-dozen youth care workers to protect him from his tormenter, someone he accused of orchestrating three attacks by other teens — the last of which knocked him out, and injured his face, head, arms, legs, … Continue reading Lightning Blasted his Shoes off — and Illuminated a Pattern of Abuse by Staff

Why Is New York Still Prosecuting 16-Year-Olds As Adults?

~ jeffreybutts

Advocates for justice reform have been pushing for New York State to raise the age of criminal majority for decades. But only in the past few years have their efforts gained traction, thanks to a growing body of research on the development of the teenage brain, increased awareness of the unique risks faced by youth in the adult justice system, and broader acknowledgement of the long-term costs of incarcerating 16- and 17-year-old offenders.

Brentwood Residents Seek Gang Violence Solutions after Slayings

~ jeffreybutts

By Sarah Armaghan and David Olson Newsday September 17, 2016 Residents in Brentwood — reeling from the brutal slayings of two teenage girls — are demanding action from local, state and federal officials to combat the gang violence that has plagued their streets for years. Their anger — mixed with fear and frustration — is … Continue reading Brentwood Residents Seek Gang Violence Solutions after Slayings

Recent rape offers good argument for ‘a gun in hand,’ Waterville police chief says

~ jeffreybutts

Joe Massey's comments follow an attack on a 73-year-old woman, but researchers caution that the data is mixed on whether gun ownership can deter crime. MORNING SENTINEL February 11, 2016 Waterville police chief Joe Massey says the assault and rape of a 73-year-old city woman on Sunday makes a good case for why citizens should … Continue reading Recent rape offers good argument for ‘a gun in hand,’ Waterville police chief says

Data does not support state attorneys’ argument

~ jeffreybutts

by Jeffrey Butts January 21, 2016 Florida continues to send more juvenile offenders to adult prison than any other state in the nation. It is one of only 14 states that allow prosecutors alone to decide which children are tried as adults, and one of only three states that does not allow a judge to … Continue reading Data does not support state attorneys’ argument

Prosecutorial Power Unrelated to Drop in Crime

~ jeffreybutts

By Jeffrey Butts Special to The Sun The state of Florida continues to send more juvenile offenders to adult prison than any other state in the nation. It is one of only 14 states that allow prosecutors alone to decide which children are tried as adults, and one of only three states that does not … Continue reading Prosecutorial Power Unrelated to Drop in Crime