Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
@thecfsy.bsky.social
We're working to ban life without parole and other extreme sentences for children in the United States. https://cfsy.org/
“By trusting people that wanted me to do right, I became a new garden to cultivate new habits.”
M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.
M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.
September 16, 2026 at 6:09 PM
“By trusting people that wanted me to do right, I became a new garden to cultivate new habits.”
M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.
M reflects on how the gardening programming at the state penitentiary, where he has been imprisoned since he was 17, has become an unexpected source of growth in his own journey.
Reflections from a 2026 CFSY Community Care Retreat Participant 💛
Learn more here: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
Learn more here: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
September 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Reflections from a 2026 CFSY Community Care Retreat Participant 💛
Learn more here: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
Learn more here: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
Our community consists of dedicated professionals across many fields: entrepreneurs, reentry coaches, faith leaders, caregivers, and more. This #LaborDay, CFSY celebrates our community’s incredible work ethic and today’s well-earned day of rest.
September 7, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Our community consists of dedicated professionals across many fields: entrepreneurs, reentry coaches, faith leaders, caregivers, and more. This #LaborDay, CFSY celebrates our community’s incredible work ethic and today’s well-earned day of rest.
This week, CFSY’s Co-Director of Outreach and Community Care Programs, Eddie Ellis, celebrated his 20th Freedom Anniversary! Reflecting on this monumental moment, Eddie shared:
August 27, 2026 at 5:52 PM
This week, CFSY’s Co-Director of Outreach and Community Care Programs, Eddie Ellis, celebrated his 20th Freedom Anniversary! Reflecting on this monumental moment, Eddie shared:
CFSY's Donnell Drinks joined CFSY Board Member Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah for the National Bar Association's 101st Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee! Donnell participated in a panel exploring why incarceration and reentry are among the most pressing civil rights issues.
August 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
CFSY's Donnell Drinks joined CFSY Board Member Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah for the National Bar Association's 101st Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee! Donnell participated in a panel exploring why incarceration and reentry are among the most pressing civil rights issues.
Members of our Movement Building Team traveled to Chicago to connect with ICAN and NFN members advancing reform, prevention, healing, and restorative justice on the South Side.
August 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Members of our Movement Building Team traveled to Chicago to connect with ICAN and NFN members advancing reform, prevention, healing, and restorative justice on the South Side.
That’s a wrap on CFSY’s second annual Development Team Retreat! Over two days in New York City, our team came together to reflect on our progress, strengthen our fundraising strategy, and align on priorities for the year ahead.
August 24, 2026 at 5:20 PM
That’s a wrap on CFSY’s second annual Development Team Retreat! Over two days in New York City, our team came together to reflect on our progress, strengthen our fundraising strategy, and align on priorities for the year ahead.
We read yet another profoundly hopeful and inspiring letter from the inside at our all-staff meeting today. These messages keep us going and keep us grounded.
You can read a selection of the thousands of letters we receive here ✉️: https://cfsy.org/get-involved/lettersfromtheinside/
You can read a selection of the thousands of letters we receive here ✉️: https://cfsy.org/get-involved/lettersfromtheinside/
August 18, 2026 at 8:29 PM
We read yet another profoundly hopeful and inspiring letter from the inside at our all-staff meeting today. These messages keep us going and keep us grounded.
You can read a selection of the thousands of letters we receive here ✉️: https://cfsy.org/get-involved/lettersfromtheinside/
You can read a selection of the thousands of letters we receive here ✉️: https://cfsy.org/get-involved/lettersfromtheinside/
Reposted by Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
Between 2005-2016, the United States Supreme Court issued four groundbreaking decisions (Roper v. Simmons, Graham v. Florida, Miller v. Alabama, and Montgomery v. Louisiana) drastically altering sentencing practices for youth and confirming that youth are developmentally different from adults.
August 13, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Between 2005-2016, the United States Supreme Court issued four groundbreaking decisions (Roper v. Simmons, Graham v. Florida, Miller v. Alabama, and Montgomery v. Louisiana) drastically altering sentencing practices for youth and confirming that youth are developmentally different from adults.
April Barber was 15 years old and pregnant when she was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. In 2022, April earned one of the first commutations from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and after 31 years of incarceration, April finally came home.
August 13, 2026 at 6:21 PM
April Barber was 15 years old and pregnant when she was sentenced to two consecutive life terms. In 2022, April earned one of the first commutations from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and after 31 years of incarceration, April finally came home.
“When incarcerated residents are encouraged to become civically engaged citizens, when they’re empowered to believe they can make a positive difference in the world, and when they’re given the tools to succeed, they can be truly accountable.”
August 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
“When incarcerated residents are encouraged to become civically engaged citizens, when they’re empowered to believe they can make a positive difference in the world, and when they’re given the tools to succeed, they can be truly accountable.”
The CFSY team had the opportunity to return to the 2026 @ncslorg.bsky.social Legislative Summit in Chicago, Illinois! We spoke to the nation's lawmakers about why they should advance legislation that will end the extreme sentencing of children & create pathways home for those still behind bars.
August 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
The CFSY team had the opportunity to return to the 2026 @ncslorg.bsky.social Legislative Summit in Chicago, Illinois! We spoke to the nation's lawmakers about why they should advance legislation that will end the extreme sentencing of children & create pathways home for those still behind bars.
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the 50-to-75-year sentence imposed on James Eads for an offense committed when he was 16 years old is unconstitutional under the Michigan Constitution.
August 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the 50-to-75-year sentence imposed on James Eads for an offense committed when he was 16 years old is unconstitutional under the Michigan Constitution.
At just 17 years old, Louis Gibson was sentenced to life in prison. After spending decades inside the notorious Angola prison, Louis finally came home in 2018 thanks to the landmark Supreme Court case Montgomery v. Alabama.
August 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
At just 17 years old, Louis Gibson was sentenced to life in prison. After spending decades inside the notorious Angola prison, Louis finally came home in 2018 thanks to the landmark Supreme Court case Montgomery v. Alabama.
Let's take care of ourselves and each other. Healing takes work, and many in our community have lingering trauma from the criminal legal system, from shorten childhoods to the heartache of losing a loved one. For more tips and resources, visit: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
July 24, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Let's take care of ourselves and each other. Healing takes work, and many in our community have lingering trauma from the criminal legal system, from shorten childhoods to the heartache of losing a loved one. For more tips and resources, visit: https://cfsy.org/what-we-do/community-care/
Michael Williams was only 17 when he was given a death by incarceration sentence. After serving 32 years, he returned home committed to helping others as a recovery coach, restorative justice facilitator, and reentry navigator.
July 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Michael Williams was only 17 when he was given a death by incarceration sentence. After serving 32 years, he returned home committed to helping others as a recovery coach, restorative justice facilitator, and reentry navigator.
Inside Philanthropy profiled the MacArthur Foundation's 10-year Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), interviewing Xavier, CFSY's Executive Director, about its community-led approach. Read here! https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/a-look-back-at-macarthurs-big-bet-to-reduce-jail-populations
July 21, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Inside Philanthropy profiled the MacArthur Foundation's 10-year Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC), interviewing Xavier, CFSY's Executive Director, about its community-led approach. Read here! https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/a-look-back-at-macarthurs-big-bet-to-reduce-jail-populations
At just 17 years old, Robert “Bobby” Pittman was sentenced to life plus 15 years. "They sentenced the child I was, not the man I would become," Bobby says. When he came home after 24 years, Bobby remained driven by a desire to prevent the next generation from entering the system.
July 16, 2026 at 7:09 PM
At just 17 years old, Robert “Bobby” Pittman was sentenced to life plus 15 years. "They sentenced the child I was, not the man I would become," Bobby says. When he came home after 24 years, Bobby remained driven by a desire to prevent the next generation from entering the system.
“What mattered most to me wasn't whether the case would immediately get me out of prison,” writes Angel DeJesus, “What mattered was the broader shift taking place in how children were being understood to be different–and Miller was a pivotal part of that shift.”
July 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
“What mattered most to me wasn't whether the case would immediately get me out of prison,” writes Angel DeJesus, “What mattered was the broader shift taking place in how children were being understood to be different–and Miller was a pivotal part of that shift.”
At 15, Marshan Allen was sentenced to two counts of mandatory life without the possibility of parole. For him, Miller v. Alabama was more than a Supreme Court decision. It was recognition that children are capable of growth, change, and redemption.
July 2, 2026 at 4:20 PM
At 15, Marshan Allen was sentenced to two counts of mandatory life without the possibility of parole. For him, Miller v. Alabama was more than a Supreme Court decision. It was recognition that children are capable of growth, change, and redemption.
P was given a life without parole sentence at only 17 years old. For nearly four decades, he has lived behind prison walls, separated from his son, who was only two months old when he was arrested, and navigating the challenges of a recent cancer diagnosis.
July 1, 2026 at 2:39 PM
P was given a life without parole sentence at only 17 years old. For nearly four decades, he has lived behind prison walls, separated from his son, who was only two months old when he was arrested, and navigating the challenges of a recent cancer diagnosis.
Today is the last day to support our fundraiser! If you haven’t had the chance to give, there’s still time. Your gift will help fuel our work ahead as we work to end extreme sentences for children and expand opportunities for healing and hope. fundraise.givesmart.com/form/-hY59w
June 30, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Today is the last day to support our fundraiser! If you haven’t had the chance to give, there’s still time. Your gift will help fuel our work ahead as we work to end extreme sentences for children and expand opportunities for healing and hope. fundraise.givesmart.com/form/-hY59w
"I will never forget June 25, 2012," writes Jose Burgos.
Read his reflections on what Miller v. Alabama meant to him and thousands of other extreme-sentenced children here: cfsy.org/the-day-hope...
Read his reflections on what Miller v. Alabama meant to him and thousands of other extreme-sentenced children here: cfsy.org/the-day-hope...
The Day Hope Returned: Remembering Miller v. Alabama - Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth | CFSY
cfsy.org
June 25, 2026 at 5:54 PM
"I will never forget June 25, 2012," writes Jose Burgos.
Read his reflections on what Miller v. Alabama meant to him and thousands of other extreme-sentenced children here: cfsy.org/the-day-hope...
Read his reflections on what Miller v. Alabama meant to him and thousands of other extreme-sentenced children here: cfsy.org/the-day-hope...
Reposted by Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth
Survivors are not a monolith. New research from @thecfsy.bsky.social and Baker McKenzie highlights the diverse perspectives of people impacted by youth violence and challenges assumptions about what survivors want from the justice system. insight.bakermckenzie.com/cfsy-report-...
CFSY Survivor Report 2026
insight.bakermckenzie.com
June 17, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Survivors are not a monolith. New research from @thecfsy.bsky.social and Baker McKenzie highlights the diverse perspectives of people impacted by youth violence and challenges assumptions about what survivors want from the justice system. insight.bakermckenzie.com/cfsy-report-...
14 years ago today, SCOTUS ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children are unconstitutional, challenging a system that threw away children without ever asking who they were, what they’d been through, or who they could still become.
June 25, 2026 at 2:13 PM
14 years ago today, SCOTUS ruled in Miller v. Alabama that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children are unconstitutional, challenging a system that threw away children without ever asking who they were, what they’d been through, or who they could still become.