PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy away on vacation, Lt. Gov. Shelia Oliver picked up a pen to sign a bill to keep kids from four urban areas out of the criminal justice system.
Two of the targeted zones are Trenton and Camden.
The goal of this pilot program is restorative and transformative justice for young people.
“There is no child who comes into this world without the ability to reach their full potential," said Oliver.
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She explained that this bill gives more than $8 million to the Juvenile Justice Commission to help reintegrate kids who have been in juvenile detention centers.
Oliver said it's an investment in their future and a benefit for taxpayers, because the cost to help is a fraction of the cost to lock up a kid for a year.
“$445,000 per child in a so-called juvenile correctional facility," said Oliver.
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Dr. Jennifer LeBaron, acting executive director of the JJC, said this is also designed to address racial disparities.
“It is clear that a targeted and intentional investment in our black and brown young people is needed, so that they are given the same opportunities to thrive as their white peers," said Dr. LeBaron.
She said a variety of factors lead to kids straying off the path, and the money will go to addressing some of those issues, like education and mental health support.