About the f5c
We believe in young people, not youth prisons.
The Final 5 Campaign is a youth led statewide movement to close Illinois youth prisons and invest in healing, opportunity, and community care. We are a collective of formerly incarcerated young people, families impacted by incarceration, organizers, advocates, and community members working toward a future where no child belongs in prison.
Founded in 2020, the campaign builds youth leadership through organizing, advocacy, political education, and creative expression. We invest in education, mental health, housing, restorative justice, violence prevention, and the community resources young people need to thrive.
1. Close the six remaining youth prisons. Illinois now has six youth prisons. We are organizing to close them and end youth incarceration.
2. Reinvest in communities. Direct public resources toward prevention, healing, education, housing, and reentry in the communities most affected by youth incarceration.
3. Inform the public. Share clear information about youth incarceration, its root causes, and community based alternatives.
4. Reimagine justice. Build restorative and transformative approaches that support safety, accountability, and healing.
5. Center impacted leadership. Put formerly incarcerated young people, families, and people directly affected by the system at the center of decisions.
Transformation over Reformation. We believe we must close youth prisons to holistically take care of the mental, emotional, financial and material needs of young people. We believe youth prisons are not effectively taking care of young people or protecting the safety of our communities.
Needs-Based. We believe the needs of youth cannot be met in youth prisons, and thus strive towards a future where the material well-being of young people is cultivated in other ways. We also consider the needs of those affected by youth incarceration: families, neighborhoods, police officers, correctional officers, legislators, and beyond. We believe that in the long term, the needs of all people can best be met through the closing of youth prisons and investing in communities.
Creativity & Collaboration. We believe in the power of creative thinking and collaboration across skillsets, perspectives and beliefs. While we know there is a better alternative to youth prisons, we believe it takes the minds and imaginations of many to build those alternatives.
A Table Open to All. The table is set with our mission and values, but it is open to all who'd like a seat. We believe we are stronger for leaving a seat open, as a reminder that not everyone is yet ready to join us and it is our job to invite them into the work.
Patience in Practice. While we aim for the expedient closing of youth prisons, our campaign is led with patience. In an effort to reduce harm, create room for healing (for all), and in order to effectively communicate with those not yet at the table, we practice patience. This work is years in the making, just as the lives of all affected by system involvement. We take the long view, and do so with patient and loving hearts.
Who We are
We are a coalition of formerly incarcerated young people, families impacted by the juvenile legal system, organizers, advocates, and community members. Young people are leaders in this work.
Our vision is an Illinois without youth prisons, where communities have the resources to heal and young people are free to build their futures. Close Prisons. Invest in Youth. Build the Future.
Sound like you? Join us.