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🌻 SPRING 2023 NEWSLETTER
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Pathways to Success Youth Conference
On April 6, 2023, Tow Youth Justice Institute hosted the first Pathways to Success: Trailblazers and Innovators in Youth Justice Conference. Hosted in Cromwell, CT, almost 200 attendees gathered to hear from leaders in juvenile justice as they discussed a variety of innovations across the field including education, vocation, reentry, REGIONS, and community programming. The conference was emceed by Social Justice Advocate, Expert, and CEO of 365 MOBILIZE, Louis L. Reed, and concluded with a youth-led panel that invited the audience to participate by asking questions and sharing stories from their own work.
Click Here to read more
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The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Visits Connecticut | |
History of the JJDPA
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) was signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1974. Designed as a partnership between federal government and the states, territories and the District of Columbia, it was established to protect children and youth in the justice system, to effectively address high-risk and delinquent behavior, and to improve community safety. Specifically, the act required states and territories meet certain common standards for how youth are treated in the justice system and provides funding to ensure states comply.
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Faculty and Staff Attend the 2023 National Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) Conference | This March Dr. Danielle T. Cooper, Dr. Lorenzo M. Boyd, and graduate student researchers, Jessica Morgan, Sudeshna Das, and Nicole Kessler, from the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) attended the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS), 2023 Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Dr. Cooper and Dr. Boyd presented their evaluation research on the Connecticut Institute of Youth and Police Relations (CIYPR). Their presentation, Connecticut Residents’ Perspectives and Recommended Areas of Improvement for Youth and Police Relations, focused on the results from a statewide survey that was used to learn about the community's relationship with police, their interactions, and their knowledge of programs intended to build connections with the community. | |
Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee (JJPOC) Recommendations Move through the Legislative Session | |
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In January and February this year, the JJPOC approved an annual set of recommendations for legislation. The recommendations became part of House Bill 6888 and moved through the legislative process.
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University of New Haven recognizes 2023 Faculty
Excellence Awards
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Congratulations to Dr. Lorenzo Boyd, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences, one of the many deserving, 2023 Faculty Excellence Award recipients.
Dr. Boyd was honored with Excellence in Research or Creative Activity, which recognizes faculty for their commitment to attracting external funding or business/community support through grants, contracts, cooperation agreements, as well as for developing supportive relationships with businesses or other organizations that benefit students. The award also honors Dr. Boyd's dedication to promoting student engagement and high-impact practices.
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Connecticut’s Equity Dashboard – A Tool to examine the Juvenile Justice System | |
Connecticut has taken a significant step towards achieving equity and justice by introducing the Equity Dashboard, a powerful tool designed to examine and address disparities within the juvenile justice system. This innovative initiative aims to promote transparency, data-driven decision-making, and, ultimately, a fairer future for our state's young population.
It is essential to ensure that Connecticut’s juvenile justice system operates in a manner that is fair, just, and free from bias. The Equity Dashboard focuses on providing a comprehensive view of the system, shedding light on areas where disparities may exist and identifying opportunities for improvement. The project began as a recommendation from Connecticut’s Improving Outcome For Youth Initiative (IOYouth).
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Trip to Volterra, Italy’ Prison System
In the Province of Pisa, Italy is where you will find a few hundred men serving their prison sentences of five or more years in the Medici Fortress from the 13th century, which now operates as a medium-security prison. As part of the weekly Friday excursions held for undergraduate students studying abroad in Prato with the University of New Haven, Dr. Danielle Cooper (TYJI Director of Research) participated in a facility tour with 20 criminal justice students and learned about the staff, programs, and history of the prison in Volterra, Italy.
Read more
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On Friday, June 1st members of the 7th cohort of the Transforming Youth Justice Program graduated from the nine-month program. They heard from keynote speaker Janai Kemp, Student Program Manager at NXTHVN, and two of our graduates, Samuel Saylor, and Jessica Blake. We also had a special visit from the University of New Haven, Intermin President, Dr. Sheahon Zenger.
Watch for more details and photos from the day in our Summer Newsletter and stay tuned for information on Cohort #8 coming soon.
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Congratulations to our Interns, Class of 2023 | |
Alexandria Lajoie ‘23, Criminal Justice BS,
Investigative Services Concentration

Nicole Kessler ‘23, Community Psychology MA,
Clinical Mental Health Concentration, Researcher
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The Tow Youth Justice Institute is a university, state and private partnership established to lead the way in juvenile justice reform through collaborative planning, training, research and advocacy. | |
Please visit towyouth.newhaven.edu for more information about the Tow Youth Justice Institute. Please scan the image to read our other Issue Briefs and Quarterly Newsletters. | |
 
 
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