The Office of Youth and Community Restoration commissioned the report “Please Don’t Give Up on Us: Stories From Children and Youth Incarcerated in California” to center the voices of young people who have experienced incarceration. Through their stories, the report offers insights and recommendations to help ensure all youth receive the support, stability, and understanding they need to thrive. Below are concluding remarks from Director Lucero. 

Throughout my career, I have worked with families in crisis within the justice system. I began as a deputy district attorney representing abused and neglected children in Dependency Court and prosecuting crimes against children. I then served as a superior court commissioner in Dependency Court and later as a superior court judge, specializing in problem-solving court systems for children and families in Family Court, Dependency Court, and Juvenile Justice Court. Now, as the Director of California’s first statewide government office dedicated to youth justice policy and best practices, I continue engaging with families and youth impacted by the Youth Justice System. In every role, I have prioritized the voices of children and youth in decision-making.  

I have never given up on our youth — just as I would never give up on my own children. No matter what. This report seeks to shine a light on those often ignored, to listen to those silenced, and to support those labeled as dangerous, unlovable, or beyond redemption. It places the youth voice front and center. We took the time and resources to hear directly from youth who have been incarcerated, asking them to share their stories and tell us how the system can improve.  

Too often, we only hear about the youth who reoffend after release — held up as an example and used as justification for why we should be tough on youth crime, lock them up, and throw away the key. But these cases are the exception, not the rule.  

I am here to tell you that those are the outliers. Many youth, given the right support in custody and upon reentry, succeed. This report is based on interviews with over 100 formerly incarcerated youth who transformed their lives. Their stories represent just a fraction of the many successes we have come to know.  

As a judge, I saw thousands of children and youth come through the system, and 99% wanted to do better. Many even asked me directly for guidance and support to live a better life. I saw children who were brilliant, talented, and eager to contribute to society rather than be seen as burdens. That’s why I always made a point of asking.  

There is one thing I know for sure: All kids, even ones that have made bad decisions, can change their lives for the better if they have the resources and access to do so. I also know that investing in rehabilitation for youth who find themselves in the justice system is not just the right thing to do; it also creates safer communities for all of us. 

—Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.), Director of OYCR