Change is Coming: Youth and Michigan's Justice System: Michigan's Children's Matt Gillard

<p>Welcome two members of the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform to the <em>Speaking for Kids</em> Podcast to discuss a series of<a href="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/60/72/fbd328df49c6bc2ff3d6844eed80/michigan-taskforce-on-juvenile-justice-reform-final-report19.pdf"> 32 recommended reforms </a>that hold the promise of transforming the state’s court system for youth. <strong>Jason Smith, executive director of the Michigan Center for Youth Justice</strong>, and <strong>John Casteel, a former youth involved in the juvenile system</strong>, said they were optimistic that the work of the task force will result in a more fair system for young people, with more protections, diversion strategies, and improved opportunities for youth to thrive. Among the panels’ priorities were helping to keep young people out of detention facilities; reducing the number of incarcerated youth for low-level offenses; providing better legal representation; providing community-based family counseling and mental health treatment; and eliminating onerous fines and fees charged by juvenile courts. <strong><em>Listen to the podcast today.</em></strong></p>