Mobilizing Health Professionals Against the Juvenile Death Penalty

Following the Supreme Court ruling, PHR Executive Director Leonard Rubenstein said: "We are thrilled about the decision. It provides a legal grounding for what scientists have shown - that kids are different from adults."

Health and Justice for Youth

Victory in Connecticut

On June 29, 2007, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell signed into law a budget bill that includes a provision and funding to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction from 16 to 18.

Seven Connecticut health associations endorsed this important change, noting the disproportionate physical and mental health risks faced by youth involved in the adult system. The state budget will now allocate $20 million to expand services, including mental health, education and reintegration, and prepare the juvenile system to accommodate 16- and 17-year olds by the year 2010. The most serious and violent cases may still be transferred from the juvenile court to the adult court on a case-by-case basis.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in our action on this issue, and to the groups who worked with Physicians for Human Rights to advocate for this change, particularly the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Connecticut Psychiatric Society, the Connecticut Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the Connecticut Psychological Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Connecticut Chapter, and the National Association of Social Workers-Connecticut Chapter.

Letter from PHR and Connecticut health professionals to members of the Connecticut state legislature

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