Debate Over Race & Juvenile Justice Heats Up in Iowa

Citing concerns about an exponential rise in juvenile filings and detention holds, clergy leaders of A Mid Iowa Strategy (AMOS) are calling on their County Supervisors to vote against increased funding for juvenile attorneys, calling it a "direct result of the more punitive approach" recently taken towards children. An editorial written by several clergy triggered a heated response by the County Attorney (both pieces included below).

AMOS advocates a return "to the best practice model the County Attorney's office pioneered from 2006-2009" which made good use of "informal adjustments and alternatives to detentions for non-violent, non-repeat juvenile offenders."

Troubling Changes in Polk County System, Des Moines Register

Critics Misleading People Over Juvenile Justice, Des Moines Register

AMOS Letter to Des Moines Register, AMOS

Restore Justice For Our Youth, AMOS