North Carolina Senate: Keep kids out of adult prisons

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North Carolina is the only state that automatically charges all 16 and 17-year-olds as adults — without exception — and forbids transfer into the juvenile justice system. Hundreds of kids are kept in dangerous adult prisons where they face increased rates of sexual assault, trauma, and suicide. Due to continued racial prejudice, Black NC kids are disproportionately harmed by this inhumane system.

After more than 1,500 NC ColorOfChange members supported Raise the Age efforts last year, the fight to stop the jailing of our children continues— a bill to raise the age is closer to becoming law than ever before. Join us in demanding the Senate Raise the Age now.

Here's the letter we'll send to members of the North Carolina State Legislature. You can add a personal comment using the box to the right.

Dear North Carolina Legislator,

With only a few weeks left in the General Assembly you will have the opportunity to vote on a bill to raise the age of adult prosecution from 16 to 18 years old for minor offenses. This bill is a critical opportunity to reform a law that has unjustly criminalized our youth for decades.

The majority of children in adult prisons are there for minor offenses, but face harrowing conditions and very little access to rehabilitative services. The juvenile system is better equipped to provide such services, which lowers recidivism. Once released, youth coming out of the juvenile system are able to pursue education and employment without the barriers that come with an adult criminal record. These are benefits that the state will see immediately and for generations to come.

Black youth and the black community at large have the most at stake under this antiquated law, as studies have show Black youth are more likely to be arrested and sent to adult prisons than white youth--for the same crime.

We urge you to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction and bring North Carolina in line with the vast majority of states in the country that agree youth should not be automatically tried as adults.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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