Senate Democrats Call for Real Action on Raise the Age, Don't Want Half-Measures

Albany, NY - February 13, 2017 - The Senate Democratic Conference today demanded real action to raise the age of criminal responsibility for non-violent, youth offenders. The Senate Democrats have led the fight to Raise The Age since 2012 when legislation was first introduced to address this crisis. Under the Senate Democratic proposal 16- and 17-year-olds who commit non-violent crimes would be held to an age-appropriate level of responsibility which would ensure that children are not housed in the same correctional facilities as adults. This version of Raise the Age is the only version that will actually move our state forward and protect our children.

Bill Sponsor, Senator Velmanette Montgomery said, “Raise the Age is a vital part of the Senate Democratic Conference’s vision for reforming juvenile justice in New York State. Under the leadership of Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democrats continue to lead efforts to fundamentally change the way youth are treated in our criminal justice system. Raising the Age must be complemented with investments in alternatives to incarceration and educational and professional opportunities for our most vulnerable youth. Only then will we have a comprehensive approach that puts us on the path to ending mass incarceration and permanently ending the prison pipeline.”

To read the story, visit http://www.longisland.com/news/02-13-17/senate-democrats-raise-the-age-youth-offenders-criminal-responsibility.html