On July 20, 2023, the EAJP released a new national report, Time for Change: A National Scan and Analysis of Hybrid Justice Systems for Emerging Adults. Led by Selen Siringil Perker and coauthored by Lael Chester, this national study is the first in the nation to systematically document the existence of an emerging adult jurisdiction—hybrid systems (also known as “youthful offender laws”) that create a distinct path for emerging adults.
Research and Policy Development
The Emerging Adult Justice Project conducts action-research projects and publishes reports to thoughtfully guide, shape, and develop policies, laws, and practices that provide for developmentally appropriate justice implementation. The EAJ’s research and policy projects aim to elevate the ripening policy conversation regarding young adult justice reform to render it a viable option for policymakers, administrators, and advocates.
Recent Reforms in Emerging Adult Justice
A number of states in the United States have been improving emerging adult justice through reforms such as raise the age, expungement, specialized courts, specialized probation and parole, specialized correction units, hybrid laws and other specialized provisions. The Emerging Adult Justice Project supports those methods through thorough research and policy development.
Emerging Adult Justice Learning Community
The Emerging Adult Justice Learning Community (EAJLC) is a carefully organized collaborative learning environment that brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates twice a year over a three-year period in order to create more developmentally appropriate, effective and fairer criminal justice responses for youths ages 18 – 25. Participants of the Learning Community are all engaged in some aspect of this work in their professional pursuits.
OUR LIBRARY
Informing and Driving Effective Justice Responses
