Transforming Juvenile Probation Series: A Conversation with Derrell Frazier

Transforming Juvenile Probation is an Instagram Live series hosted by the Center for Public Justice. Throughout the month of June, CPJ’s Juvenile Justice Fellow Yasmine Arrington will interview four experts in the field to discuss juvenile probation, why reform is needed, and the role the faith community can play. Tune in each Tuesday at noon EST at @centerpublicjustice.

In this episode of Transforming Juvenile Probation, Yasmine interviewed Derrell Frazier, the policy and engagement manager at the Mental Health Association of Maryland. In this conversation, Yasmine and Derrell discuss the importance of mentorship, rehabilitation, racial equity, mental health, and community-based alternatives in juvenile probation reform.

Highlights

  • It often costs more to keep a young person incarcerated than for an in-state college tuition.

  • Restorative justice approaches to juvenile probation can help young people identify root causes of issues, what their mistakes were, and how to move forward.

  • Many programs that could help divert young people from the juvenile justice system are only available after incarceration.

  • Juvenile probation transformation comes from having conversations with lawmakers who have the power to change policy.

  • Connecting youth with social networks and mentorships can help youth avoid contact with the justice system in the first place.

  • Mentorship is an important aspect of juvenile probation reform because it gives young people greater resources and opportunities to succeed.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Yasmine “YazzieSpeaks” Arrington was born and raised in Washington, DC. She is a 2015 graduate from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and History. Yasmine earned her Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity in May 2018. Yasmine was a 2020 Center for Public Justice Sacred Sector Fellow where she had the opportunity to serve as an advocacy intern with Prison Fellowship. 

In 2010, while a junior in high school, Yasmine founded the nonprofit ScholarCHIPS (www.scholarchipsfund.org), an organization that provides college scholarships, mentoring and a support network to children of incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. ScholarCHIPS has awarded over $300,000 in college scholarships to 76 scholars, with 30 graduates to date. 

Yasmine is the author of Daily Reflections for Social Entrepreneurs Journal. Yasmine has been featured in TeenVogue, Essence, Black Enterprise, Forbes Magazine, The Washington Post, the Baltimore Times, and on ABC7 News WJLA and NBC4 for her community work with ScholarCHIPS. Yasmine is a recipient of several awards for her community work including the Linowes Leadership Award from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Peace First Prize, the DC Social Innovation Prize, Angel Among Us Award by the Negro Council of Women, the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award, the Samuel Halperin Public Service Award, Radio One WKYS Top 30 Under 30, Washington Business Journal Top 40 Under 40, and others. 

Derrell Frazier is currently the policy and community engagement manager at the Mental Health Association of Maryland. He is also a member of the 2019-2021 Annie E. Casey Foundation Juvenile Justice Youth Advisory Council.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

1. Learn more about juvenile probation and opportunities for reform.

2. Sign up to receive Shared Justice's monthly newsletter and stay up to date on the latest content, resources, and highlights.

3. Write for us! Email sjsubmissions@cpjustice.org for more information.

4. Form a Political Discipleship group and advocate for juvenile probation reform in your community. Political Discipleship is an 11-week praxis-based curriculum that helps Christians form lifelong habits and practices of citizenship. Email katie.thompson@cpjustice.org for more information.

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