When the Punishment is Worse than the Crime – June 20, 2025
JAILING CHILDREN HURTS US ALL America locks up children more than most countries in the world. It’s because our laws – not our…
Right from the PA Attorney General – May 30, 2025
PA’S TOP COP SUPPORTS DIVERTING KIDS FROM JAIL “When you collaborate and have great outcomes, people like to see that. When crime goes…
Broken Bones, Broken System – May 2, 2025
IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE – AND IT NEVER SHOULD Every child should be safe from harm, but there is a special obligation to…
STATEMENT: Philly Child Welfare System is Failing Children
Philadelphia’s Child Welfare System Is Failing Children — It Must Be Reformed Now (April 11, 2025) Children First is heartbroken for the children and…
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right – Mar 21, 2025
BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES & BRIGHTER FUTURES Do children as young as ten years old end up shackled and in prison? In PA, yes,…
A Step Forward, but Still Falling Back – Jan 17, 2025
PHILLY COURTS DOUBLES DOWN ON LOCKING KIDS UP Just when we thought it was safe(r) to be a kid in Philadelphia, we learn…
STATEMENT: Children First Condemns Use of Youth Seclusion at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center
Children First Condemns Use of Youth Seclusion at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center January 10, 2025 Children First is deeply disturbed by the…
It is a happy new year – Jan 3, 2025
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE There is good news already this year for Philadelphia children and teens – fewer of them will be locked…
A Move to Make Things Right – Oct 25, 2024
THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW, RIGHT? For too long, the “lock ’em up” mentality ruled, and children who crossed the law were…
Want to Build Safer Communities? – Feb 16, 2024
LOCKING UP TEENS WON’T MAKE OUR CITY SAFER While it is incredibly welcome news that gun deaths in Philadelphia decreased in 2023 from…