ABSTRACT
The United States Supreme Court recognized in In re Gault that the hastiness of a judicial system can easily lead to the ultimate denial of liberty for youth – incarceration. Youth prisons were designed to serve as an alternative to adult prisons by having a more rehabilitative focus. Department of Children and Families (DCF) states that the mission of Connecticut's youth prison, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS), "is to provide a safe, secure and therapeutic environment while providing opportunity for growth and success". Violence and victimization persist in youth prisons. Incarcerated youth often experience dangerous conditions, such as physical and chemical restraints, sexual and physical abuse, and solitary confinement, and have a high risk of suicide. Campaigns to dismantle the youth prison model have one thing in common: change comes when those most affected are part of the reform movement. In the last 20 years, juvenile defenders have worked with formerly incarcerated youth, families of incarcerated youth.
