PCJ Report on Emerging Adult Justice in Massachusetts
Research Fellows Lael Chester and Selen Siringil Perker from the Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management at Harvard Kennedy School have authored the first in a series of Emerging Adult Justice issue briefs: “Emerging Adults: A distinct population that calls for an age-appropriate approach by the justice system.” The brief defines emerging adults as the group of individuals transitioning from childhood to adulthood that, despite facing the worst criminal justice outcomes and recidivism rates, signify a critical opportunity for criminal justice intervention via evidence-informed policies and programming that both reduce crime and enhance socio-economic outcomes. On May 31, Chester presented her research at a briefing for Massachusetts legislators who are considering proposed legislation on reforms to the criminal justice system.
For more research on emerging adults, please visit our Emerging Adult Justice clearinghouse: /youngadultjustice
News coverage of the legislative briefing:
Geoff Foster (Director of Organizing and Policymaking, UTEC), Rep. Mary Keefe, Rep. Evandro Carvalho, Rep. Kay Khan, Lael Chester (Research Fellow at PCJ), Naoka Carey (Executive Director at Citizens for Juvenile Justice), Yotam Zeira (Director of External Affairs at Roca, Inc.)