Category: Security News

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

Thank you, Liz. It’s really great to be here and to help welcome everyone to this important conference — the first OJJDP national conference in over a decade.

I’m so glad we’re being joined today by our Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, who we’ll hear from a little later. And very excited that we’ll have the privilege this morning of hearing from several champions of youth justice.

It is inspiring to see so many people gathered in one spot, representing so many different programs and perspectives — yet at the same time so unified in your determination to serve and support the youth of our country. That’s what this conference is all about — reinforcing our collective mission to expand opportunities for our nation’s young people.

This is very gratifying for me personally. I’ve spent my entire career working to bring opportunity to kids who have been excluded and counted out. I started my career as a teacher in South Los Angeles, before moving to New York City where I was a part of some groundbreaking work to reduce youth violence and to reduce the number of youth in locked facilities.

We were able to meet both of those goals, and we were successful in great part because we did what so many of you are doing, and what Liz and her team are supporting in cities and states across America — keeping kids connected to their communities, to their families, and to the best parts of themselves.

This work — the work we did in New York and the work you are all doing now — is possible because of a mindset that puts the focus squarely on youth, on identifying and meeting their needs and the best interests of their communities. It’s guided by what’s appropriate from a developmental standpoint, by what’s fair, and by what can help limit future contact with the system.

These principles were laid out in one place by the landmark National Academy of Sciences report, which was commissioned by OJJDP and released 12 years ago this month. If you haven’t read it, I strongly encourage you to do so. It consolidated everything we knew at the time about the adolescent brain and made an irrefutable case for juvenile justice policies and practices that follow the science.

The report turned the dial on juvenile justice reform and announced a new era of youth justice, where the needs of youth are paramount and their capacity for change and growth is recognized and respected.

And just to make the connection to OJJDP’s 50-year history that much stronger, the tide had turned before the NAS released its report. Many of you will recall the groundbreaking Pathways to Desistance study that followed more than 1,300 youth for seven years after their convictions for violent crimes. That study, which was funded by OJJDP, landed on two major findings. One, that young people who commit crimes, even serious crimes, naturally age out of criminal behavior in the vast majority of cases. And two — and this is critical — two factors can prevent this aging-out process: incarceration and exposure to trauma.

The findings from Pathways helped lay the groundwork for the NAS report and remain foundational to the evidence-based framework for juvenile justice that we are operating in today. That study — and a body of research that continues to grow — allowed us to level set and to think of juvenile justice as an opportunity to intervene early with treatment, mentoring, and other pro-social services that help address early trauma and exposure to violence.

It also helped us embrace a positive youth development model and it reinforced work long underway to build a fair and more effective juvenile justice system, one not modeled on the adult system but designed specifically for youth.

As a nation, we’ve moved forward with this model, and we’ve made great strides — and, let me be clear, we are safer because of this model. I’m really proud of the work that Liz and her team in OJJDP have done to solidify and extend those gains.

I’m also aware — as many of you are — that we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We saw the damage of the pandemic on our youth, with school closures and broken social bonds and the toxic stress that came from isolation. The lesson we should have learned is the importance of community-based services that engage those at greatest risk and that build protective factors in our kids. Unfortunately, in some cases, what we’re seeing instead is states and local jurisdictions walking away from this responsibility. Some national leaders are even calling for a reversal of 30 years of progress; 30 years during which youth violence and youth incarceration dropped dramatically.

And while I’m disheartened by that, I’m not at all discouraged. And the reason I’m not discouraged is because there are more than 2,500 champions joining us at this conference who are committed to staying the course and building a nation where our young people are free from crime and violence. And there are many more people out there in communities across America working hard to expand opportunities for our youth.

In many ways, this is a tough moment for the field, but despite the challenges and the setbacks, I encourage us all to keep in mind the incredible progress we’ve seen over the years, and to be inspired by the innovations and reforms we’ve seen in recent years — driven by so many of you.

Now is not the time to roll back reform — now is the moment to press ahead, and to insist on a juvenile justice system that supports and empowers our kids. This is the right way to do youth justice, and we are counting on all of you to carry us forward.

Thank you for keeping us focused on the important work that lies before us. We are grateful for your leadership and for the difference you are making — for our youth, for your communities, for our nation.

Thank you for all that you do — and thank you for your time today.

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

Thank you so much, Brent. And thank you, Bryan, for your thoughtful words.

I want to take just a minute to talk about Bryan’s inspiring leadership and what it has meant to me personally throughout my own career. I was a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens at the Supreme Court in 2003 when Bryan argued a case in the Court called Nelson v. Campbell. Since we’re not all lawyers here I won’t bore you with the legal technicalities, but the case was about the ability of a death penalty inmate to challenge the inhumane manner in which Alabama planned to cut into his collapsed veins to execute him. Bryan argued the case brilliantly and managed to get a unanimous win for his client — a remarkable outcome in a death penalty case. But what I remember most vividly is how much Justice Stevens praised Bryan’s lawyering privately in chambers afterward. You were one of his favorite advocates, Bryan.

Then, much later in my career, I was watching Just Mercy, the movie about Bryan’s life, and was brought to tears by the tremendous impact that he has had as an advocate. I resolved in that moment to get back to using my abilities as a lawyer to make a difference in a world that needs so much help. And it was not too long afterward that I returned to government and now get to work again with so many dedicated public servants — like the tireless professionals in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Thank you, Bryan, for making a difference in ways that aren’t even known to you, and for all that you do on behalf of our country’s youth.

I also want to thank Liz and Brent for their leadership in OJJDP and OJP. We’re making huge strides in youth justice in America thanks in great part to the incredible work being spearheaded by their exceptional teams. I appreciate the passion and commitment of every member of OJJDP’s staff. Our juvenile justice systems are stronger, and our nation is a better place for kids, because of the work you do.

A big thanks as well to the Federal Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for co-sponsoring this conference, and for guiding our efforts at the federal level and charting a course for better serving the youth of this nation.

I’m also grateful to the many young people who are contributing to this convening by sharing their perspectives and recommendations. And I know we have family members here whose children have been affected by the justice system, as well as young people whose parents have been incarcerated. Your voices are critical to informing the discussions and presentations that we’ll hear over the next two-and-a-half days.

And I want to thank our state, county, local, Tribal, and community stakeholders across the country. You have all been key partners, not only in bringing this event together, but in helping us realize our vision of a better future for young people, their families, and their communities.

I’m very pleased to be here, both to be part of the discussion about the state of youth justice in America and to celebrate 50 years of OJJDP’s work on behalf of our nation’s young people.

There’s much to celebrate. Detention in juvenile facilities has fallen dramatically — a 75% decline over more than two decades. And we’ve seen promising declines in violent crime nationwide, creating safer communities for our young people to learn, grow, and thrive.

This is remarkable progress that so many people in this room have helped to make possible, including the outstanding professionals at OJJDP. Together, we are opening doors for our young people — expanding opportunities and strengthening public safety in the process.

But even as we lift up our achievements, we cannot lose sight of the fact that there is still so much left to do. As Bryan has written and spoken about so eloquently — especially in his riveting book, “Just Mercy,” which inspired the movie I mentioned — racial disparities persist in the juvenile justice system. Youth continue to be prosecuted in adult court and placed in adult jails and prisons, posing grave risks to their safety and long-term well-being. Not to mention the terrible toll that gun violence is taking on youth. Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens — and have been for the last four years. This is alarming and utterly unacceptable.

We are not done yet. Challenges remain — serious challenges. But I look around this room, at the passion and dedication that each of you bring, and I am hopeful about the future.

The work to steer our young people toward success is powered by our partners in the field, so many of whom are joining us today. We are grateful for your determination and leadership. You inspire us at the Department of Justice to follow your wonderful example.

During my time at the Department, I have been proud to join the meetings of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, where we have brought together nationally renowned experts, community leaders, and federal partners to discuss the pressing issues in youth justice today. I have been very encouraged by the momentum that those discussions have generated. And I’m excited about the roadmap that we’ve developed together, which will soon be submitted to Congress.

In September, I was also proud to join Liz and her colleague Karhlton Moore, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in Birmingham, Alabama. There, I had the privilege of announcing resources to fight hate crimes — including OJJDP’s terrific curriculum on addressing youth hate crimes and identity-based bullying. The curriculum was informed by 19 roundtable discussions with youth across seven states, and it was piloted in many communities. This new resource is designed to empower young people to change attitudes and behaviors to combat hate crimes and bullying.

Finally, I am so heartened by the fantastic work OJJDP is doing with its state and local partners to cement reform and ensure that youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system are getting the support they need. The groundbreaking Continuums of Care initiative, launched earlier this year, will prevent young people from entering the juvenile justice system whenever possible. And it will help those involved in the system return to their communities prepared to succeed.

These are among the many ways the Department, led by OJJDP, is working to create a more just and developmentally sound juvenile justice system — and to put kids on the path to a brighter future.

Again, this is a collective project, inspired and energized by advocates and experts, with support from those of us at the federal and state levels and by private partners dedicated to serving young people.

We are proud to be your allies in this vital work, and we are eager to continue building on the momentum — generated over 50 years — that each of you has helped to create.

I am grateful to you all for being such strong and steady champions for young people and for helping us to build safe and just communities throughout America.

Thank you again, and best wishes for a successful conference.

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Adnan Shalash, the owner and operator of rental properties in Lexington, Kentucky, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also names as defendants 12 owners of rental properties managed by Adnan Shalash, including Fox Den Properties LLC and Griffith Market Inc.

“Sexual harassment by housing providers is an egregious abuse of power,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Women should never feel unsafe in their own homes. The Justice Department is committed to vigorously protecting the rights of vulnerable tenants subjected to sexual harassment and holding housing providers and managers accountable when they violate the law.”

“Sexual harassment in housing deprives its victims of the safety and security that a home is supposed to provide them,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “That makes committed enforcement of the Fair Housing Act critical to ensuring that victims can gain relief from this shameful conduct and seek a safe and secure home for their families.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, alleges that for many years Shalash has sexually harassed numerous female tenants. According to the complaint, Shalash has offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, entered the homes of female tenants without their permission, subjected female tenants to unwelcome touching and groping and taken adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances.

The lawsuit, which is the result of a joint investigative effort of the Justice Department with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Office of Inspector General, seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, a civil penalty against each defendant to vindicate the public interest and a court order barring future discrimination.

“My office will not tolerate landlords committing sexual harassment or abuse against tenants,” said HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis. “Adnan Shalash allegedly preyed upon vulnerable tenants’ basic human need for housing. Today’s complaint demonstrates the HUD Office of Inspector General’s commitment to stop landlords who abuse their power over vulnerable tenants and ensuring that victims of their sexual harassment obtain relief.”

The Justice Department launched its Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative in October 2017. The initiative, which is led by the Civil Rights Division in coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers or others who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the Justice Department has filed 46 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing, recovering damages and civil penalties from those violating the law.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Adnan Shalash, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line, at 1-833-591-0291, select 1 for English and select option number 2 then option number 04 to leave a message. To leave a message in Spanish, select 2 for Spanish, and select option number 1 and then option number 9 to leave a message. Individuals may also email the Justice Department at fairhousing@usdoj.gov or submit a report online. Reports also may be made by contacting the HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.

Source: United States Department of Justice 2

The Justice Department announced today that it filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to challenge discriminatory code requirements that deny or limit the availability of community-based housing for people with intellectual disabilities and autism.

“People with disabilities should not have their housing opportunities stripped away from them by restrictive safety measures that are simply not necessary,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The failure of the Commonwealth’s building code to take into account the specific needs and the capacity of people with disabilities illegally denies them access to housing opportunities. Through vigorous enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, the Justice Department is committed to ensuring that building requirements, zoning restrictions and land use codes are not abused and manipulated to deny people with disabilities their right to live integrated in their communities.”

“Although expensive fire prevention methods, like automatic sprinklers, may reduce personal injury and damage to property, Pennsylvania cannot require individuals with disabilities to obey this code requirement without assessing their unique and specific needs,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania’s building code enforcement improperly demands individuals with disabilities living in community homes to pay thousands of dollars to install automatic sprinklers yet allows those without disabilities in similar resident housing to avoid such costs. This office will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act and partner with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to ensure our disabled citizens share the same rights as their neighbors.” 

Under the Commonwealth’s Uniform Construction Code, which all local governments must follow, every “community home” for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism must install, at their own expense, an automatic sprinkler system. No other single-family home, including newly constructed homes, is required to install automatic sprinklers. “Community homes” allow people with intellectual disabilities and autism to live in a family-like setting in the community, alongside people without disabilities. Such homes in Pennsylvania have an average of 2.3 residents and may have no more than four residents. The Commonwealth already requires community homes to comply with numerous fire and safety regulations, including regular fire drills verifying that the residents are able to evacuate in under two and one-half minutes.

Pennsylvania’s building code, however, classifies community homes for persons with intellectual disabilities and autism as “facilities” and requires them to install automatic sprinkler systems, regardless of how old the home is or how capable the residents are to evacuate notwithstanding their disabilities.

Sprinkler system requirements limit the availability of housing in several ways. First, landlords in rental housing may refuse to allow sprinkler systems to be installed because their appearance, which includes long, exposed metal pipes, may render a home less marketable to future tenants and is reminiscent of the institutional facilities community homes were intended to replace. Second, sprinkler systems often cannot feasibly be installed in individual apartments, thus eliminating their ability to be used as community homes. Finally, as the department’s investigation found, sprinkler systems cost, at a minimum, nearly $10,000 to install in a small, single-family home, but these costs may triple when local water utilities require sprinkler systems to have their own water line. These costs may exceed the financial means of many community home operators and may force others to operate larger, less individualized homes.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, including an order requiring the Commonwealth to allow local governments to assess the need for automatic sprinklers in community homes based on the unique and specific needs and abilities of each home’s residents, as well as monetary damages.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability and familial status. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Individuals may report housing discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291 or submitting a report online. Individuals may also report such discrimination by contacting HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or by filing a complaint online.

Individuals who have information on community homes being required to install automatic sprinklers in Pennsylvania or who have other information that may be relevant to this case may contact the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, press 1 for English; press 1 for discrimination in housing; and press 9 for the United States v. Pennsylvania lawsuit mailbox.  Individuals can also email the Justice Department at Community.Homes@usdoj.gov.