The Gault Center’s Mary Ann Scali and Sarah Johnson Interviewed for a Story on Transfer and the Youth Justice Policy Landscape

Executive Director Mary Ann Scali and Senior Youth Defense Counsel Sarah Johnson were interviewed by Stateline regarding the Youth Justice Landscape, and transfer policies across the country.

From the Article: “’Transfer of youth to adult court is bad public policy,’ said Mary Ann Scali, the executive director of The Gault Center, a national organization that trains and supports defense attorneys who represent young people in court. ‘It causes more harm and does not lead to better outcomes for young people or communities.'”

“Sarah Johnson, senior youth defense counsel with The Gault Center, said research does not support the argument that moving children into adult court improves public safety.”

“’Transfer does not increase public safety. Transfer increases recidivism. Transfer traumatizes young people because they’re now placed in an adult facility,’ Johnson said, noting that children may face heightened risks of physical and sexual abuse from other incarcerated people and staff.”

To learn more about our work regarding transfer to adult court, please visit our Resource Library or join our Transfer to Adult Court Workgroup through our Transformative Policy Initiative.