Criminalizing Poor Youth in Washington, DC [infographic]

This morning, DC Lawyers for Youth (DCLY), launched a capital-wide campaign to reach out to kids, families, policymakers, practitioners and systems administrators to relay the errors in spending and judgement when it comes to juvenile justice.
DCLY asks whether it makes sense to spend tens of thousands on matriculating through the justice system, or successfully matriculating through school. They asks if spending should occur to lock kids up, or if investing should occur to employ youths and families. Community investment, responsible spending and responding to youth early on is the answer to making Washington, DC -- and cities nationwide - stronger and safer. 
Check out the full infographic after the jump.

by jasonkillinger. Browse more data visualization.

Zerline Hughes is Communications Director of the Justice Policy Institute. In this capacity, she interacts with media and helps execute JPI's communications strategy. She helped produce "Blocking the Exit," a short documentary on the parole process in Maryland for people serving life sentences. Prior to joining JPI, Zerline was the Communications Manager for The Sentencing Project, a national nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform by way of research and advocacy. While there, Zerline maintained and wrote for the website and participated in advocacy and communications campaigns that resulted in legislation reform and national media attention. She also helped produce a short documentary entitled “Crack the Disparity: It's Not Fair. It's Not Working.” which was screened throughout Washington, D.C. and on Capitol Hill. Zerline has also worked as a public relations consultant and newspaper reporter and freelance writer for publications including the Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, Ventura (Calif.) County Star and Dance Magazine. Zerline earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and photography from Howard University and a Master of Science in Communication Management from Simmons College.