
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