Lone Star Justice Alliance AWARDED TEXAS BAR FOUNDATION GRANT

Lone Star Justice Alliance Awarded Texas Bar Foundation Grant to Advance Statewide Training and Direct Services for Juveniles Sentenced to Die in Prison
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AUSTIN, TX — The Lone Star Justice Alliance is pleased to announce that it has received a $10,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. The award will be used to increase the organization's legal representation for juveniles sentenced to die in prison.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole sentences are unconstitutional for youth (under 18), requiring states to find that a youth is the “rare juvenile offender” displaying “irreparable corruption” before denying youth a "meaningful opportunity" for parole review within their lifetime. 

The Lone Star Justice Alliance’s Second Look Project pairs volunteer lawyers with juveniles who have received either life or life without parole sentences. The Lone Star Justice Alliance provides mentoring, training, and guidance throughout the process to ensure that the pro bono lawyers get the support they need to provide the highest quality legal representation to these clients. 

“Over 1600 Texas youth are currently serving either life or life without parole sentences.  These youth will benefit immensely from the Texas Bar Foundation’s generous grant,” said Elizabeth Henneke, Executive Director of the Lone Star Justice Alliance.  “We are so grateful for their support as we work to serve these youth.”

About the Texas Bar Foundation
“Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $19 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.”  For more information, visit www.txbf.org.

About The Lone Star Justice Alliance
LSJA recognizes the inherent shortcomings of a criminal justice system that is focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. LSJA will provide a public health alternative for youth and emerging adults by developing and implementing innovative strategies for maximizing the supports and services needed to keep youth in the community where their needs are better met at a lower cost to the state. Through its alternative to incarceration program, LSJA will identify inefficiencies across siloed systems and will help communities realign their resources to reduce the criminogenic risk and maximize the potential of program participants. LSJA will also work to bring youth who were sentenced to adult prison back to their communities and support them as they harness the new opportunities available to them. For more information, visit www.lonestarjusticealliance.org.
 
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Henneke
Executive Director
(512) 394-5791
ehenneke@lsja.org