Former youth offenders demand action on overlooked juvenile justice reform bill
DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa — Four years ago, a task force was put together to look at the juvenile justice system.
It created a list of recommendations, but no action has been taken.
At the Capitol building on Tuesday, those formerly in the juvenile justice system gathered to advocate for action on a bill that could bring change.
One of them is 24-year-old Anahi Figueroa-Martinez.
At just 14 years old, she found herself in the juvenile justice system, enduring nearly four years behind bars.
She explained, “I was just exposed to stuff that I shouldn’t have been exposed to at my age and I feel like it was just emotionally, it was really draining.”
She said it not only impacted her mental health, but her education as well.
“When I came out, I was supposed to be in 11th grade. I had to start 9th grade all over again,” she said.