CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Fortune News

Fall 2002
Youth Involvement in the Criminal Justice System
Youth are notoriously underserved by existing media. Over 55% of all news reporting on youth is dedicated to youth crime and violence, though youth are responsible for 12% of all crimes. This misrepresentation elicits irrational fear and allows stricter laws to be passed for young people involved in the criminal justice system. In conjunction with other organizations that work to empower young people and provide them with the tools to represent themselves, this issue of Fortune News is dedicated to a discussion of youth involvement in the criminal justice system. By drawing our stories directly from young people, we hope to get closer to representing the reality of youth involvement in crime and the criminal justice system.
Submission Requirements: Articles must be no more than 1,250 words and submitted typed, double-spaced, and include the title, author's name and short bio of the author (incarcerated writers may submit handwritten manuscripts). Articles may also be submitted as Microsoft Word files, on disk, or by email, to sherbert@fortunesociety.org. Photos, illustrations, and artwork are welcome. Only manuscripts and accompanying materials submitted with a SASE will be returned. Please send submissions to: Fortune News Submissions c/o The Fortune Society 53 West 23rd Street New York, NY 10010
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 1, 2002
The Fortune Society is unable to compensate writers monetarily. All those who submit articles will receive a free one-year subscription to Fortune News. For more information, please contact Shannon Herbert, Fortune News Editor at (212) 691-7554 extension 553 or email sherbert@fortunesociety.org.
For more information visit our website at www.fortunesociety.org

Even though my son has been certified as an adult (he is 17 years old now), can I still write to the editor about his case and injustice?

PEACE!

you can always try, right? I will write him in the case of Darrell too

I am going to send my son's bio and who knows, maybe this will help my son in the future. PEACE!

I found this very interesting...I work now for a 'trial' program here in our capitol's superior court. It's the Youthful Offender program and I work with youth's ages 16-21. When I interview them, I try to see if the will be able to participate in several programs that our available. By successful participation, they can, in most cases, eliminate a adult record. Also, as a former youth officier, in our only youth jail here, I've seen and heard a lot!! One kid, just turned 19, who is coming close to being released in Oct. has just served 2 and 1/2 years, and will have 7 1/2 years of special parole to adhere too. His story would be very interesting, if I submit it...I'll let you know!

Pamela,

Is this Youth Offender Program in every state? Is it too late for my son to participate since he was certified as an adult? Or, if and this is a big "if," the court reverse the certification, can he be placed in this type of program as an alternative punishment? Whatever it takes, I will do it if possible. PEACE!!

I'm not sure if Texas has a YO program, but Florida does as far as getting placed in a YO program after being certified as and adult, I don't know, I know it can work in reverse:( All you can do is try! Heck I wrote the Bush Family of course it did no good but what the h*ll, my son is in jail due to his drug addictions but the courts didn't consider that at sentencing him. Best of luck to you. hey, try talking to FEDX I beleive he's from Texas. Maybe he can help you. Peace. cl