On this week’s episode we are joined by Marc Schindler of Georgetown’s Center for Youth Justice, to discuss the Forgotten Children’s Initiative, which was born of research that he led about the history of the Maryland House of Reformation & Instruction for Colored Children between 1877-1939. As part of that research, it was discovered that more than 300 children are buried in an unmarked cemetery near where the House of Reformation was located in Cheltenham, Maryland. 

We discussed that important and heartbreaking work, and how Schindler sees this research project in the context of current discussions around reforming the juvenile justice system in Maryland and elsewhere. 

Marc Schindler is a research professor and senior fellow at the Center for Youth Justice at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, and former assistant secretary & chief of staff of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. 

Reading Room

The Racist Roots of Youth Justice Are Buried Deep

https://imprintnews.org/opinion/the-racist-roots-of-youth-justice-are-buried-deep/273246

Forgotten Children: Unearthing the Lives Behind the Lost Burial Sites of Incarcerated Youth

https://cyj.georgetown.edu/forgotten-children/

‘Incorrigible’ No More: In Rare Memorial Service, Graveside Tribute Paid to New York’s Formerly Incarcerated Girls

https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/new-york-memorial-service-incarcerated-girls/250819

Torture of Kids Remembered: A North Florida reform school acknowledges its history of abuse.

https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2008/10/26/torture-of-kids-remembered/

Nickel Boys

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_Boys