John Block, a House Representative for New Mexico, has expressed the need for harsher consequences for youth crime. He accused Democratic lawmakers of enabling violence through lenient policies. This statement was made on X on March 24.
"Juvenile crime is out of control in New Mexico," said Block. "We must REFUSE TO CODDLE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. LOCK THEM UP. Actions should have consequences (prison time), not $2,000 homicide scholarships."
According to KOB 4 Investigates, juvenile gun crimes in New Mexico increased by 57% from 2022 to 2023, leading to heightened public concern and political scrutiny. However, the station also reports that these crimes decreased by 37.5% in the first ten months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Legislative responses included House Bill 255—the "Juvenile Corrections Act"—which aimed to reform the state’s Children’s Code but failed to pass the Senate in March 2025. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham criticized lawmakers for not seriously addressing youth violence, as reported by Source NM.
Data from the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee’s 2024 report indicates that juvenile justice referrals have declined to about one-quarter of the levels reported 13 years ago. The report attributes this trend to both a shrinking youth population and reforms in how juvenile cases are handled. However, KOB 4 notes a significant short-term fluctuation: juvenile gun crimes rose sharply in 2023 before falling in 2024, revealing inconsistencies in crime patterns despite long-term reductions.
According to a policy brief from The Sentencing Project in 2023, the number of youth incarcerated in the U.S. fell from 108,800 in 2000 to 27,600 in 2022, marking a decline of 75%. New Mexico reflects this national trend; as noted by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, juvenile referrals now stand at just a quarter of levels seen over a decade ago. This reduction is linked to diversion programs and a shift toward community-based solutions for nonviolent youth offenders.
As reported by Ballotpedia, John Block is a Republican representative serving District 51 since 2023. According to the New Mexico Legislature’s official portal, Block sponsored House Bill 104 in 2025, which sought to expand victim status under the Victims of Crime Act to include offenses against peace officers. His legislative agenda emphasizes criminal justice reform with a strong focus on law enforcement protections.
