Panel: Criminalization of Urban Youth

Posted by on September 15, 2008

Eastern University has been a strong and vocal advocate for social justice issues. This discussion of Juvenile Justice Issues is the first in a series of Church and Community Conversations where leaders in the field will help frame the issue and share best practices. You are invited to come and join the conversation…
The Eastern University School for Social Change and School for Leadership and Development present a Discussion Panel on The Criminalization of Urban Youth on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10th & Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia, PA.  A Best Practices Networking Reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. and the panel discussion forum will begin at 6:30 p.m.

During the discussion we will answer two questions.  First, how have perceptions of urban youth impacted or been impacted by such things as violence, legislation, policing, judicial sentences, and media portrayals?  Second, what are just and effective Christian responses to the injustices urban youth face?

Discussion panelists for September 26th include, Paul Conway, Esquire (Philadelphia Defenders Association), John Rush (Justice and Mercy, Inc.; New Person Center), and Dorothy Stith, M.D. (Harvard School of Public Health).  Members of faith-based organizations, community leaders, social service providers, those involved in the judicial system and urban youth who are concerned about this issue are encouraged to attend

Are concerned about youth violence?  Are you concerned about the racial disparities in decisions to waive juveniles to adult courts?  Are you concerned about disproportionate minority confinement in correctional facilities and detention centers?  Are you concerned about the “business” of building of prisons?  Are you concerned about how public perceptions of urban youth may affect how they are treated in various systems including the judicial system?  Are you wondering what a just response is to such things?

We invite the community to enter into dialogue about these issues.

Event:            PANEL DISCUSSION – The Criminilization of Urban Youth: A Juvenile Justice Issue
Date & Time:  Friday September 26, 2008, Exhibitors: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Panel Discussion: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location:        School for Social Change, 900 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia PA 19123
RSVP and More info:       Please contact Wanda Bailey at 215 769-3122 or by email at wbaileyg@eastern.edu

Event info:      http://www.eastern.edu/ccc