About Us
“The first time I entered a juvenile prison in Latin America, I was shocked how many of the kids were waiting months and months to see a judge. Most have no hope of being released for years. When they are finally released, they go back to their communities with no support system. Lagging behind in school with no work skills, they have few options. Locking up kids for petty offenses actually makes crime worse in the long run as lives are needlessly thrown away… “
In 2013, Douglas Keillor is a human rights attorney. In 2012, Douglas moved to Mexico City as a Fulbright-Garcia Robles Fellow to research juvenile detention. In 2013, he founded Juvenile Justice Advocates International.
Latest News
International Symposium Discusses Alternatives for Minnesota Youth Justice Reform
This past Friday, June 28, 2024, a group of local and international organizations hosted the symposium “Closing the Gap: Minnesota’s Youth Justice System and International Practices” in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event brought together...
Pass Minnesota juvenile justice sentencing reform act
Juvenile Justice Advocates International urgently calls on the Minnesota State Legislature to adopt the Minnesota Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act (HF 1300/SF 1325) and for the Governor to sign the bill to end juvenile life without the...
Annual Report 2023
MOBILIZE AND EMPOWER: 445 JJAI seeks to minimize the deprivation of children’s liberty, protect their rights and promote positive youth development through policy advocacy, technical assistance and training, community engagement and...