Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen addressed attendees at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) National Conference on Youth Justice, marking the first national conference by OJJDP in over a decade. He expressed gratitude for the presence of Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General and various advocates of youth justice.
Cohen highlighted the unity among attendees, emphasizing their shared commitment to serving and supporting the nation's youth. "That’s what this conference is all about — reinforcing our collective mission to expand opportunities for our nation’s young people," he stated.
Reflecting on his career, Cohen shared his experiences from teaching in South Los Angeles to contributing to efforts in New York City aimed at reducing youth violence and incarceration rates. He noted that these successes were achieved through community connection initiatives similar to those supported by Liz Ryan's team across America.
Cohen emphasized a mindset focused on youth needs, guided by developmental appropriateness, fairness, and limiting future system contact. He referenced the National Academy of Sciences report commissioned by OJJDP 12 years ago as pivotal in shaping juvenile justice policies aligned with scientific understanding of adolescent brain development.
The report marked a shift towards recognizing youth capacity for change and growth. Cohen also cited the Pathways to Desistance study funded by OJJDP, which found that most young offenders naturally desist from criminal behavior unless hindered by incarceration or trauma exposure.
Cohen praised Liz Ryan and her team at OJJDP for advancing reforms based on positive youth development models distinct from adult systems. Acknowledging challenges such as pandemic impacts on youth, he urged continued support for community-based services despite some jurisdictions retreating from these responsibilities.
Despite setbacks, Cohen expressed optimism due to more than 2,500 dedicated participants at the conference committed to maintaining progress in juvenile justice reform. "Now is not the time to roll back reform — now is the moment to press ahead," he concluded, urging persistence in building a supportive juvenile justice system.
He closed with appreciation for attendees' leadership and contributions toward creating safer communities for young people across America.