Our Outcomes

Connecticut Justice Alliance

Address the Root

CTJA Achievements: Invest in me CT, Bills & Testimony, Partnerships and Community Expertise Workgroup Recommendation

The first few decades of the work that CTJA engaged in were important and brought about raising the age of prosecution as an adult to 18, the closure of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, reform to the criteria of school based arrests, the removal of Family with Service Needs from state law (criminalizing kids for status offenses), and a shift in the criteria to detain a child in Connecticut's residential (detention) centers- just to name a few.

In 2017, CTJA recognized the need to fully employ and involve the voice and choice of people with lived experience in the work of the organization. After many months of research, conversations, and much debate- the Justice Advisors were born!

In 2020 CTJA launched the InvestInMeCT campaign. The campaign aims to create a more equitable legal system in Connecticut by investing in community-based solutions and addressing the root causes of youth behavior and crime. In 2022, CTJA relaunched the campaign in an effort to encourage lawmakers to #AddressTheRoot causes of youth behavior and crime. In 2017, CTJA, in partnership with the first cohort of Justice Advisors,developed Vision Sessions, a conversation tool that helps community members identify opportunities to address systemic issues related to the legal system. These sessions have been accompanied by the use of fists on maps to represent where community members feel pain and need for change.

For many years, CTJA was viewed as an inside organization that did not have roots in the communities of Connecticut. Since 2017, we have begun to change that, and in many ways have been successful. We still continue to plant seeds, tend to the trees that we are growing, and alongside community members enjoy the fruit of established trees. CTJA has worked hard to gain the respect and trust of community members and organizations and to be seen as an ally in the work to end the criminalization of youth.

In 2021, CTJA underwent an intentional shift in leadership to a Black woman, Christina Quaranta, who had been with CTJA since the summer of 2016. At that time, the organization also took an intentional turn to be much bolder in its messaging and media. Since 2021, CTJA has seen a steady increase in earned media coverage of the work and advocacy efforts of Justice Staff and Advisors. This has included media coverage of CTJA's efforts to raise the minimum age for arrest and prosecution from 7 to 10, as well as coverage of their work to beat back harmful legislation and reopen a youth prison in Connecticut. CTJA has successfully utilized billboards and radio ads to: raise awareness about their work, shine light on the need to address the root causes of youth behavior and crime, and to draw the attention to brain development in young people, as well as the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in the legal system.

In addition to their advocacy efforts, CTJA has also worked to build partnerships with a range of national organizations, including the National Juvenile Justice Network, the Sentencing Project, the ACLU, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Annie E. Casey Foundation. These partnerships have helped CTJA to amplify their message and connect with a wider network of advocates and stakeholders.

Finally, CTJA has made personal and professional development a priority for their Justice Advisors, providing them with a range of training and development opportunities to help them grow as advocates and leaders. Through these efforts, CTJA has helped to build a strong community of advocates who are committed to creating a more equitable Connecticut.

Legislative work

CTJA is a trailblazing organization actively working within the legislative landscape to advocate for meaningful justice reform in Connecticut. Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based research, and impactful advocacy campaigns, CTJA engages with lawmakers to shape policies that address systemic issues, reduce mass incarceration, and promote equitable outcomes.

Billboard campaign

The Connecticut Justice Alliance (CTJA) launched a powerful ad campaign in Hartford and Bridgeport, challenging youth incarceration narratives. Through billboards, radio ads, and web content, CTJA raised awareness about inequities in laws and emphasized the need for addressing root causes over punitive measures. The campaign aimed to protect marginalized youth and promote long-term solutions.

CTJA in the Media

CTJA has successfully garnered earned media attention through its impactful initiatives and advocacy efforts. By strategically positioning themselves as a leading voice in justice reform, CTJA has effectively captured the attention of journalists and media outlets, resulting in significant coverage of their work. Through compelling storytelling, data-driven research, and engaging spokespersons, CTJA has secured valuable media exposure, amplifying their mission and driving public discourse on critical issues within the criminal justice system.