RELEASE: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Joins Vera Institute of Justice Initiative to End Girls’ Incarceration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ben Waxman, 215–686–8711, benjamin.waxman@phila.gov
PHILADELPHIA (Aug 2, 2018) — Today, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (DAO) has joined the Vera Institute of Justice’s effort to reduce the number of incarcerated young women and girls in the Philadelphia juvenile justice system.
Over the past decade, the number of incarcerated young women and girls has decreased more slowly than the number of boys, which harms more girls of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming (LGB/TGNC) youth. Additionally, over 80 percent of incarcerated girls are survivors of sexual violence.
“We’re excited to partner with the Vera Institute, and our partners across the U.S., to find and implement successful strategies to reduce the overall incarcerated population of young women and girls in Philadelphia,” said Robert Listenbee, First Assistant District Attorney. “Their population in Philadelphia’s Juvenile Justice System is different than their male counterparts, so this partnership will help us focus on and implement supports to safely reduce their incarcerated population.”
Last year, the Vera Institute of Justice launched the Task Force on Ending Girls’ Incarceration in New York City to develop a comprehensive plan to end girls’ incarceration. Today Philadelphia is joining their efforts along with partners in Maine, Hawaii, North Dakota, and Santa Clara County California. As part of the Initiative, partnering cities will work with Vera’s team to develop and implement a strategic plan to reduce the confinement of girls through improved policy, practice, and programmatic approaches.
###
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million citizens of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecution of over 75,000 criminal cases annually.
The Vera Institute of Justice is a justice reform change agent. Vera produces ideas, analysis, and research that inspire change in the systems people rely upon for safety and justice, and works in close partnership with government and civic leaders to implement it. Vera is currently pursuing core priorities of ending the misuse of jails, transforming conditions of confinement, and ensuring that justice systems more effectively serve America’s increasingly diverse communities.
