Las Vegas 3, Vegas Lost: Five letters that could change the system

Established in 1974, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) sets forth federal standards to ensure a minimum level of safety and equitable treatment for youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system, and its renewal could change the way Nevada handles a growing number of young offenders.

With the renewal of the JJDPA, new changes include ensuring a juvenile is going home to a safe environment and has a plan when they are released. States must also start recording and studying statistics on a child’s race and their punishment, and must be made accessible to the public.

Learn more about the JJDPA changes in Nevada and hear from local advocates, here.