On October 28, 2025, Pennsylvania state lawmakers gathered at the capitol to consider a package of juvenile justice reform bills that could mark a major step forward for the commonwealth’s young people. If passed, the proposed legislation would:
- Require judges in youth cases to prioritize diversion programs over detention;
- End direct file—the charging and sentencing of youth as adults;
- Limit the use of solitary confinement for youth.
- and other important measures.
These reforms aim to reduce the long-term harm of incarceration and create more equitable outcomes for system-involved youth.
In 2025, Court Watch made it a priority to observe and document youth proceedings in Adult Criminal Court—a critical lens on how the state treats children in its most punitive spaces. Between July 2024 and June 2025, Court Watch volunteers observed 26 decertification hearings for juveniles who had been direct filed into the adult carceral system. Of those, 16 young people were successfully decertified, transferring their cases to the juvenile system, where rehabilitation and community-based supports are more accessible.
If the pending package of legislation is enacted, these same young people—and others like them—stand to benefit from policies that prioritize diversion, limit unnecessary detention, and reduce the financial burdens that too often deepen cycles of poverty and incarceration.
At a press conference following the hearing on this legislation in Harrisburg, Jarue Lawson shared powerful testimony reflecting on these issues, the impact of the proposed reforms, and the urgent need to center youth voices and community accountability in policy change.
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Below is Jarue Lawson’s full testimony, delivered at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on October 28, 2025.
My name is Jarue the A.S.S.I.S.T. (Afrikan Supporting Strength Inspiration Success Together) of Philly Service Announcement Podcast/Program/LLC. I’m the adult advocate of Care, Not Control’s Youth Advisory Board. I am a strong advocate for community-led diversion instead of responses that enslave our children.
The children in my community are my babies. They are under attack and we are responsible for their futures. The communities that our young people are being born in are designed by targeted disinvestment (redlining), disenfranchisement (cradle to prison pipeline), subjugation (the crack era policies), miseducation (critical thought being taken out of school and schools never teaching identity through accurate history). ALL of this is documented in our legislation, bills, and policies.
I stand before you as a slave amongst freed men and women. The 13th
Amendment says because I was duly committed of a crime, I am a slave (I’m a custody level one). I went to Glen Mills at 15 and was in a state prison by 19. I was made to believe that I was to figure out a life that was already prepared for me by people who were here before me. Without those peoples’ guidance and honest informed instruction and direction.
Young people need a lot of guidance, eldership, structure, and accountability from people who are accountable! Remember their frontal lobes are NOT fully developed; they need to be diverted! Diversion Programs provide that structure, accountability, eldership, reinvestment, and education. Community-led diversion is organic and truly can meet our children where they are. Restorative and Transformative Justice practices, like circles, are great guiding practices for community-led diversion.
True community-led diversion means the community is so empowered that when there is a transgression against the community, said community can divert without law enforcement involvement AT ALL! We have witnessed the failures and abuses of locking up and placing our children. Look how many facilities have reported abuses and closed for abuses against our children.
There is no data and/or evidence that locking up children makes them safe, healthy and productive for their lives and future. Children need to be with their families, in communities that love, support, and empower them – communities that are well – resourced with funding and programming to engage young people. That is why we are here today, calling for diversion, now!
It’s Love our children, NEVER Fuck dem kids!
-Masomakali-