What We Do

We work to abolish life without parole and other extreme sentences for children.

The CFSY utilizes a multipronged approach to reform including serving as a hub and convener; engaging key stakeholders; educating target audiences; advocating for reforms; bolstering legal strategies to ban life-without-parole sentences for children; and developing a wide range of partnerships to provide access to resources and opportunities for returning individuals and their families to prosper. We know we are stronger when we are in partnership learning from one another.

Learn more about our model here.

Advocacy

At the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, we lead and support campaigns to ban life without parole and other extreme sentences for children. In partnership with those directly impacted by these policies, we build coalitions, educate key decision makers and influencers through the media and in-person meetings, negotiate with key stakeholders, and advance reforms that ensure youth receive second chances.

    Legal

    We bolster legal strategies across the nation by bringing together defense attorneys and mitigators representing children challenging extreme sentences; we develop targeted resources for system stakeholders (including trial guidelines, parole board resources, judicial bench cards, and model briefs); we help implement new laws following state-level abolition of extreme sentences for children; we educate parole boards and other system stakeholders. and; we rally members of the private bar to represent individuals deserving relief due to our reform efforts.

    Strategic Partnerships

    The CFSY has expanded its strategic focus to develop a national strategy aimed at supporting the human dignity and prosperity of people who were initially sentenced as children to life in prison and who are now returning to their communities. This initiative is deeply informed by members of our Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN) and centers on developing cooperative partnerships with diverse stakeholders to provide the resources and services necessary for people who are returning home, and their families and neighborhoods, to thrive. We create meaningful opportunities for partners to help mitigate critical social issues while enhancing their business value and meeting their social impact goals; increase access to job training, employment, skill development, mentoring and access to resources to advance the success and wellbeing for people returning home; connect private sector partners with formerly incarcerated individuals to support education and co-learning; co-develop and share lessons learned and best practices; and convene advisory groups and other avenues for training and technical assistance for partners new to fair chance hiring and the goals of this initiative.

    Public Education

    Stories change hearts, minds, and policies. We use the media to persuade key decision makers and influencers to create a culture amenable to the reforms we seek. As in all areas, we center the expertise of people directly impacted by extreme sentencing for youth. They boldly, persuasively share their stories of personal pain and redemption in targeted outlets that help advance our policy goals and further humanize people once deemed monstrous “superpredators.” CFSY staff members serve as expert resources to the media about the facts and nuances of complex legal issues related to extreme sentencing of children, national trends in reform, and provide updated research and data. In addition, we shape and place opinion pieces from other strategic spokespeople, whether legislators, prosecutors, former judges, or members of our staff.

    Outreach

    The CFSY centers the expertise of individuals directly impacted by the injustices we work to resolve – chief among them, individuals formerly or currently incarcerated as children for serious crimes, victims of crimes committed by children, and the families of both. Central features of this effort include responding to 100% of correspondence we get from people serving extreme sentences, and acting in our convener role to establish networks of people with shared experiences. We also value the insights we gain from their lived experiences, and partner with them to develop their skills and elevate them as movement leaders. During in-person convenings and regular conference calls, we provide support and information on diverse topics, ranging from advocacy basics and media training to self-care strategies to help heal from the pain wrought by their experiences. Just as importantly, we support them as they advance reforms by sharing their stories with decision makers and advocating directly for needed change. The Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN) and National Family Network are among these affiliations.

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      Our Values

      We care about the people we serve.

      We have a responsibility and commitment to advancing racial justice

      Directly impacted people bring crucial, unique expertise to the work and should be leaders in reform efforts, and our organization.

      We can help make our society more equitable.

      We want to help bring healing and contribute to communities’ wholeness.

      People coming home deserve our support.

      Every individual has value that must be recognized.

      We believe in inclusion and embrace diversity.

      Investing in staff learning and growth improves our society.

      Self-care is a basic need that must be prioritized.

      We are driven by our mission and commitment to justice.

      We operate with authenticity.

      We care about one another.

      We lead with integrity and humility.

      National Family Network

      Do you have a loved one who is serving a life without parole sentence for a crime committed when they were under the age of 18, or are you a family member of a person who died as a result of youth violence? We can help you connect with family members via the National Family Network.

      Contact Us
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      Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (EIN 27-3761788) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

      About CFSY
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      News & Events

      1319 F St NW Suite 303

      Washington, DC 20004

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