YSRP works to keep children out of adult jails and prisons, and to bring home people who were sentenced as children to life in prison without the possibility of parole (“Juvenile Lifers“).

OUR CORE WORK

Mitigation

During the court process in individual cases, YSRP presents prosecutors and judges with mitigation reports, or humanizing narratives of a person’s experience.

For Juvenile Lifers eligible for resentencing and Parole Board hearings, YSRP provides workshops inside of prisons on mitigation, reentry and self-advocacy.

Reentry Planning

As close to a child’s arrest as possible, and prior to Juvenile Lifer resentencing hearings, YSRP creates individualized reentry plans that connect youth or Juvenile Lifers with critical supports and services in housing, employment, education and health and mental health care.

Before, during and after incarceration, YSRP connects youth, Juvenile Lifers and family members with needed supports and services.

YSRP created and leads the JLWOP Reentry Working Group, a citywide response to coordinated reentry service provision and planning for Juvenile Lifers.

Training for Legal Defense & Advocacy

YSRP creates tools and provides trainings for defense attorneys to raise the level of representation for youth charged in adult courts and Juvenile Lifers facing resentencing and Parole Board hearings.  

YSRP trains and supervises graduate law and social work students and other volunteers to work in teams that create impact within and across systems.

Advancing Policy Reform

YSRP aspires to end the practice of charging youth in adult courts. In the interim, YSRP’s policy advocacy chips away at the harmful impacts of adult incarceration on young people and their families.

OUR WORK IN ACTION

YSRP’s Intergenerational Healing Circle centers healing from trauma and builds power among young Black men and former Juvenile Lifers who share the experience of being prosecuted as teenagers in the adult justice system. The first Circle launched in 2020. Watch the video to learn about what the Circle has meant to its participants. Film by Unchained Stories.

RECENT NEWS

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance HB 1381 today, which YSRP hopes will usher in a more humane era of support and care for youth involved in the criminal legal system.

YSRP Legislative Priorities Moving in Pennsylvania!

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee voted to advance HB 1381 today, which YSRP hopes will usher in a more humane era of support and care for youth involved in the criminal legal system.

Read more
YSRP staff gathered on February 1, 2023, to celebrate freedom and commemorate the 7th anniversary of the landmark Montgomery v. Louisiana US Supreme Court decision with former Juvenile Lifers, advocates, and movement leaders.

YSRP Celebrates 7th Anniversary of Montgomery Decision

YSRP staff gathered on February 1, 2023, to celebrate freedom and commemorate the 7th anniversary of the landmark Montgomery v. Louisiana US Supreme Court decision with former Juvenile Lifers, advocates, and movement leaders.

Read more
After a rigorous national search led by YSRP’s Board of Directors and supported by Monday Morning Consultants, YSRP is thrilled to announce Bianca van Heydoorn as the new Executive Director.

YSRP Names Bianca van Heydoorn New Executive Director

After a rigorous national search led by YSRP’s Board of Directors and supported by Monday Morning Consultants, YSRP is thrilled to announce Bianca van Heydoorn as the new Executive Director.

Read more
Back To Top