The Campaign for Youth Justice kicked off its first ever "Radio Media Tour" on February 21. Dwayne Betts, a formerly incarcerated youth, and Liz Ryan of CFYJ were interviewed by radio stations across the country. The tour sought to raise momentum and awareness about the issue of prosecuting youth in adult court. Betts talked about how his experience as a youth in the adult system, which began at age 16, has affected his life. "I was certified as an adult and spent 8 ½ years in the Virginia State prison system... I came home 3 years ago and I am a student at the University of Maryland on full scholarship. I work with the Campaign... [and] right now I am trying to educate people on the fact that when you send a juvenile to prison [you] miss out on all of the rehabilitative programs that you get in the juvenile system." Betts went on to say that, "Regardless of what the crime is I think you have to look at the fact that juveniles are different. Our minds are different. Our brains aren't as developed. And more often than not, society expects us to come out and be productive citizens. Prison does not give you the opportunities to mold yourself into a productive citizen."
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