ACTION ALERT - Social Storm for Juveniles x3 Bill

To followers, supporters and advocates of our movement to provided a fairer and more just criminal justice system, we are calling on you to help us show the California State Assembly that we support Justice 4 Justice Impacted Juveniles, the Juveniles x3 bill.

We know that the voices of our community are most powerful when we collectively come together and ensure that our voices are heard. Our legislative body needs to understand that the people of California believe that it is beyond time to change the ancient practices of furthering harm by allowing juvenile offenses to become enhanced to life sentences.

We are planning to do social media storms, calls and emails in unison starting TODAY, Tuesday February 13th at 11am PT.

Over the years, extensive studies have consistently demonstrated that excessive and harsh sentencing guidelines have failed to improve public safety or contribute positively to rehabilitation efforts. In particular, the application of such sentencing practices to juveniles has proven detrimental to our communities. The belief that longer sentences act as a deterrent has been debunked, and instead, we find ourselves with an increasingly incarcerated population, often for non-violent offenses.

Legislation, and Science, has proven, and acknowledged the diminished culpability of young individuals under the age of 26. The recognition of this developmental reality has allowed Judges, and Prosecutors, the discretion to consider the unique circumstances of youthful offenders during sentencing, and parole hearings; including using a prior juvenile strike(s) to enhance future sentences. This approach not only fails to consider the maturation, and growth, that can occur over time, but also perpetuates the cycle of harsh sentencing that has proven to do more harm than good. It undermines the principles of rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

We believe it is important to advocate for resentencing for people who were sentenced with a Three Strikes Enhancement as youth (26 years old and younger). Nearly half (46%) of Justice Impacted Juveniles enter the system with preexisting mental health concerns, which is only made worse by being imprisoned. At every stage of the justice system there are disparities such as the practice of attaching a Three Strikes Enhancement on Justice Impacted Juveniles - a forever blemish that is based on the decision of a child who has not yet fully developed. We must stand up and lift our voices for cause.

Time is of the essence, and it is now that we must utilize our constituency and let our legislative body know that we want change right now and not later.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Post on social media - Please take some time to post on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok in the next few days  to amplify the important need for Juvenile 3 Strikes reform.
2. Tag your district representative and other members as well in the post (use the link to the Juvenile 3x toolkit find social media handles for some Assemblymembers.

Here are some sample posts:

• 45% of people serving third-strike enhanced sentences are Black and make up 28% of the prison system; while only making up 6% of the ENTIRE STATE.
• Nearly 65% of admissions to prison with a doubled-sentence enhancement are for non-violent, and non-serious offenses.
• Juvenile 3x is cruel & unusual punishment; thus, creating further systematic trauma, and sustaining the school to prison pipeline.
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Hashtags to use:

• #Justice4Juveniles
• #ReformJuvenile3x
• #StopSchoolToPrisonPipeline

    3. Call or email your Assemblymember to let them know that you support Juvenile 3 Strikes reform and they        should too!

• Call your Assemblymember:
• Use the Capitol Office phone number listed on the legislator's website
• Email your Assemblymember:
• Select "Contact" on the legislator's website
• Enter your personal information
• Paste the following script into the "Comments" section
• Subject (if available): I urge you to SUPPORT Juveniles 3x Bill

Again, use this link to the Juvenile 3x toolkit to access graphics, sample call scripts and social media posts, assemblymember contact information and join us in the social media storm today at 11am PT.

As always, thank you for your continuing support of our shared goals toward a fairer criminal justice system, and specifically today, for your support of Justice 4 Juveniles/Juvenile 3x Reform. We couldn’t do this work without all of our supporters and advocates!