Citizens Crime Commission of New York City

A non-partisan non-profit organization working to make criminal justice
and public safety policies and practices more effective through innovation,
research, and education.

JUVENILE Crime
Overview | Raise the Age to 18 | At-Risk Youth Programs

The Crime Commission creates partnerships to plan and implement innovative initiatives that reduce juvenile crime.

The Crime Commission seeks to address the question of how government, law-enforcement, criminal justice, and community-based programs can work more effectively to prevent juveniles from committing crimes.

Raise the Age to 18
New York, which has a reputation for being one of the most progressive and forward-thinking states in the nation, is about to become the only state in the country that treats all youths ages 16 and over as adults in its criminal justice system, regardless of the crime committed. This outmoded approach to justice subjects over 40,000 young people each year to the same system of prosecution and punishment as adults—with dire consequences for the young people involved and the larger community. The Crime Commission is seeking to raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York to 18 years old for less serious and nonviolent crimes. read more »

At-Risk Youth Programs
The Crime Commission views the young citizens of New York City to be a valuable resource and important partner in developing interventions to reduce juvenile crime. For several years, the Crime Commission has worked with youths on critical issues to inform our innovative programs. The Crime Commission is currently collaborating with local and national service providers, businesses, government agencies, and youth to plan new programs that target at-risk youth. read more »

Guide to Juvenile Justice in NYC
New York's juvenile justice system has reached a point of extreme crisis. With increasing frequency, reports of fundamental breakdowns throughout the system have come to the public's attention. The city and state governments have responded with substantial reform plans. In light of this increasing attention and the complexity of the juvenile justice system in New York, the Crime Commission has developed a Guide to Juvenile Justice in New York City to enhance the public's understanding of the City's juvenile justice policies and practices.
download the guide »

NYC Juvenile Justice Statistics:

12,558 = number of juveniles who entered the New York City Juvenile Justice System in 2008 [CWW]

49.4% = percentage of youths released from detention facilities who are readmitted [MMR09]

80% = percentage of youths released from placement who return within three years [OCFS]

95% = percentage of youths entering detention who are of African-American or Latino decent [CA]

83% = percentage of youths in detention who require mental health services [MMR08]

74% = percentage of youths in placement who require substance abuse treatment [OASAS]

40% = percentage of youths admitted to detention who came from only 15 of New York City's 59 community districts [DJJ]

68% = percentage of youths from those 15 community districts who came from areas where poverty rates are between 32% and 46% [DHMH]

$251+ million = total New York City budget for the juvenile justice system in FY2008 [IBO]