South Carolina kids need help, not handcuffs

Write Your Lawmakers

All too often, the state of South Carolina criminalizes children and removes them from their communities for behavior issues that do not pose a threat to those around them. Rather than provide resources that help children get their lives on track, we have pushed them into a school-to-prison pipeline. The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is often the first stop in that pipeline.

A bill up for consideration during the 2023-2024 legislative session, S. 266, would decrease the length of time that children may be held for “status offenses,” or offenses that would not be considered punishable if they were committed by an adult. Examples of status offenses include truancy and running away from home.

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Subject

I am writing to ask you to vote yes on Senate Bill 266, a bill that would reduce the criminalization of children while reducing the strain on the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

The bill decreases the length of time that minors may be held in DJJ facilities for offenses that would not be considered punishable if they were committed by an adult. Examples of status offenses include truancy and running away from home. The bill requires a child and their family to seek counseling when a child is charged with incorrigibility, defined as a pattern of serious or persistent misbehavior. Leaders from DJJ have spoken in favor of this long-overdue change.

Message Body

If we are serious about helping children and rebuilding DJJ as an agency that rehabilitates youth, this is a necessary first step. Please vote yes for S. 266.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

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South Carolina kids need help, not handcuffs

Write Your Lawmakers

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