Earlier this year, we had a conversation with The Fortune Society’s Deputy CEO, Rob DeLeon, about youth justice and young people’s experiences interacting with the criminal legal system. Rob was incarcerated at 17 years old, himself, and his early interaction with the system left lasting impacts, shaping not only his young adulthood but the work he would later dedicate his life to. Like many young people held in the adult system, Rob faced significant barriers following his release, including challenges securing stable employment and housing.  

Rob reflected on how these experiences impacted the work he chose to pursue after his release, specifically in reentry services and youth services. 

Before joining Fortune, Rob spent years working in youth services and diversion programs, advocating for young people at risk of deeper involvement with the criminal legal system. He saw firsthand how life-changing early intervention could be, and the environmental factors that can lead young people to incarceration. 

He described situations in which a young person is arrested for a fight or a low-level offense. Instead of being sent before a judge, which is an action that statistically increases the likelihood of long-term system involvement, there should be diversion programs to offer community-based support to keep them on track. However, this type of community investment is not often viewed as public safety.  

“We make heavy investments in public safety strategies that we know from experience don’t work,” Rob explained. “Versus, what we need, which are preventative investments in our communities. If we want to break cycles of poverty and keep young people from the system, we must level the playing field of opportunity.” 

There are common factors that can affect a child or young adult’s likelihood of interaction with the legal system. Access to quality education, availability of resources, and community support, among others. Rob explained that in marginalized communities, children may grow up in an “ecosystem of failure,” which leads to their involvement with the criminal legal system.  

When reflecting on what a more just future could look like, Rob emphasized that meaningful change must focus on structural solutions. He pointed to several key areas: ensuring equal access to quality education, making sustained investments in communities, and building a legal system rooted in humanity and understanding. 

“A just society treats people like human beings. It recognizes that mistakes shouldn’t define a person’s entire life. If we were all judged forever by our worst moments, where would any of us be?” 

Rob’s lived experience, professional background, and leadership at The Fortune Society all reflect his unwavering commitment to equity, opportunity, and the power of investing in people and communities. 

And a more equitable future is possible if we are willing to ensure that the same opportunities are available to every young person, every family, and every neighborhood.