I was incarcerated as a child. D.C.’s second-chance laws changed my life.

Eddie Ellis is co-director of outreach and member services at Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth.

Every Washingtonian wants to keep our city safe and beautiful. But the push from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia to prosecute youths as adults and repeal the city’s “second-chance” legislation is the wrong way to reduce crime. When young people who have demonstrated remorse are afforded an opportunity to address the harm they caused, the safety of the entire community is strengthened.