A new study recommends state agencies change their methods to address child labor trafficking. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Social Work surveyed child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, and found that 20% reported they have worked with people under 18 who were coerced or controlled by another person or entity for their labor and over 40% expect to do so in the future. Trafficked children are typically forced to do things like domestic service, childcare, food industry and retail work - as well as forced criminal activity such as stealing or selling drugs. .
At a Wednesday summit, advocates for juvenile justice reform took up the most recent slate of complaints about Illinois juvenile detention centers. Investigative reporting just last month found unsanitary facilities and incidents of young people being mistreated, with a focus on the Franklin County center. The nonprofit Juvenile Justice Initiative has other ideas for housing minors until their trial dates. .
More than half of U.S. states have already banned life sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles. North Carolina isn t one of them - yet. .
Advocates for juvenile justice reform recently gathered in Chicago to find ways to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. Herschella Conyers, board chair of the Juvenile Justice Initiative, said part of the work needs to happen in schools. If schools were transformed into welcoming neighborhood activity centers, open from 7 a.m. .