Some California youth of color are stuck in endless probation. Time to end this practice
In 2023, more than 10,000 youth were placed on pArobation, and 86% of them were youth of color. Current data shows that, on average, Black youth spend 10 months longer on probation than their white counterparts.
Our justice system is in urgent need of reform. And legislation introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, would do just that.
Opinion
Right now, youth enter a juvenile justice system that is designed for them to fail. In Los Angeles County alone, there are 56 standardized rules that can be broken when someone is on probation: According to The National Juvenile Defender Center, many youths simply may not understand probation orders they are given. And some rules — such as a requirement to call an electronic monitoring office every time when leaving home — has nothing to do with promoting overall development.
In response, Assembly Bill 1376 is a common-sense bill that could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars. It would require regular six-month hearings to review a youth's probation. At each hearing, a judge would determine if it is in the child's best interest to continue on probation or shorten their time.
In California, the most common form of court-ordered discipline for youth is probation, but there are no official rules for how long an individual should remain there — and it's not impacting all youth equally.
Our organization, the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, plus many other community-based organizations in California, are committed to ensuring a strong future for our youth by advocating for change on all levels of government. Now, we have a chance to put an end to this unjust practice.
'Juvenile justice should be about helping kids imagine and pursue new lives — not jump-starting the revolving door of the criminal justice system,' Gov. Gavin Newsom said in 2019. That revolving door is exactly what endless probation creates.
AB 1376 aligns with the governor's vision by shifting the system toward rehabilitation, healing and opportunity. It's about helping young people continue their education, build skills and thrive in our communities and economy.
Creating guidelines for probation sentences for youth is not new in California. In March of 2018, Santa Clara County Probation tested a new program called 'Probation Dismissal Criteria' that focused on shortening probationary periods for youth. After six months on probation, officers reviewed a youth's academic and behavioral progress to determine if they should remain on probation, be released early or have their case reviewed in another three months, with an explanation on what should be addressed during their probation. In 44% of the 48 cases reviewed during the pilot, officers recommended ending probation early.
Meanwhile, other counties, such as San Diego, have voluntarily implemented six-month probationary check-ins for youth.
With regular check-ins and clear goals, we can help youth exit the juvenile justice system and reenter society with hope, purpose and support. We owe our youth more than endless punishment — we owe them a real chance at freedom, growth and redemption. California has the opportunity to end the harmful and outdated practice of endless probation.
Eric Morrison-Smith is the executive director of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, a nationwide network of over 200 advocacy organizations and community leaders working to advance race and gender justice.
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