The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth hosted a luncheon for more than 20 national organizations working on a variety of issues to discuss ways that we can better incorporate issues of life without the possibility of parole for children into their priorities.

Most of the organizations have already signed on as official supporters of the CFSY’s statement of principles. Attendees included organizations focused on civil rights, faith, criminal justice and other issues. Attendees shared their thoughts about how the CFSY can be more effective.

A highlight of the luncheon was a Skype conversation with Xavier McElrath-Bey, a formerly incarcerated youth who now works with youthful offenders and “at risk” youth in Chicago. He talked about how his troubled childhood led him to get involved in crime and his path to change.