Olympia -- The Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (GJJAC) is holding a conference to address fair treatment of youth in the juvenile justice system, especially those in minority groups and in poverty. The conference is titled "IN ALL FAIRNESS - Working with minority youth and youth in poverty to transform the juvenile justice system."

On March 19-20, more than 275 juvenile court workers, probation staff, youth service providers, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration staff, Children's Administration staff, judges, education specialists and law enforcement representatives will gather at the Holiday Inn, SeaTac, for the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee's annual Juvenile Justice Conference. The goal of the conference is to lay the foundation to begin understanding the interaction of race, culture and poverty, and how these factors influence decision making in the juvenile justice system. The conference will also examine how decision-makers are influenced by their own race, culture and socio-economic status, and what that means and how they can move into action on these issues in their own communities.

The conference will address the interaction of Disproportionate Minority Contact in the juvenile justice system, the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and poverty. Each of these areas has a direct impact on the juvenile justice system:

• The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative  has proven to reduce the use and costs of detention while still maintaining public safety – an important asset in times of shrinking budgets.
• "Disproportionality in detention is disconcerting not only because it reflects unacceptable inequities, but also because it forecasts disparate life outcomes. Youth with a history of detention are less likely to graduate from high school; more likely to be arrested and imprisoned as an adult; and more likely to be unemployed as an adult." Additionally, DMC is a federal mandate that must be addressed by all states receiving federal OJJDP funds.
• "Income has a significant effect on youth participation in serious criminal activity (such as stealing with a weapon or use of force, stealing a car, assault or selling hard drugs). Youth from low income households have an increased likelihood of participating in serious crimes compared to those from higher-income households."

The conference is sponsored by the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and co-sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Center for Children and Youth Justice, and the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, DSHS. The Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee GJJAC was created by Executive Order in 1982, to respond to the provisions of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and implements the federal JJDP Title II Formula Grants Program, and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative in Washington.

Guest speakers and presenters include: Stephanie Vetter, Annie E. Casey Foundation; Justice Bobbe Bridge, Center for Children and Youth Justice; James Bell, founder and Executive Director of the Haywood Burns Institute, Father Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries; Dr. Donna Beegle, author of "See Poverty, Be The Difference," a resource book for professionals who work with people in poverty; Dr. Jorge Partida, a nationally and internationally renowned psychologist, public speaker, television and radio presenter; Johnny Lake, a nationally certified and internationally recognized speaker and trainer in programs focused on leadership, diversity, community-building, cross-cultural interactions skills promoting equity and ethics; a youth panel from Northwest Leadership Foundation; and Todd Denny with the Washington State Music Mentors (WHAM).

Workshops cover topics related to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, using data to reduce racial & ethnic disparities, tribal programs, gender-specific programs, rite-of-passage programs, a youth panel, youth mentors and cultural competency exercises.

For more information about the conference, or to arrange an interview with conference presenters, please contact GJJAC staff Ryan Pinto or Lisa Wolph, located within the Office of Juvenile Justice.