The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, founded in 2006, built eight youth prisons, or as they are formally called “youth centers.” Two closed in 2012, another in 2016. This August, The Final Five Campaign launched to close the last five youth prisons in Illinois.

In this episode, we got insight on how the effort is forming from Olivia Blocker, the campaign’s coordinator, and Ja’Vaune Jackson, a youth advocate who was incarcerated in two of the centers as a minor. They break down why prisons cause irreparable harm to entire communities and what alternatives to youth prisons may look like. thefinal5campaign.com/resources.

For more information on how you can support, visit the final5campaign.com/