Juveniles In Adult Jails example essay topic

When considering the idea of trying and sentencing juveniles as adults, it is important to know exactly what these procedures may entail. Amnesty International, a human rights group, found that Juveniles are often subjected to physical and sexual abuses while in detention (World: Americas Amnesty Says US Jails Too Many Children). An environment like this is far too hostile and dangerous for children. Not only does this environment bring on more punishment than needed, it is a major violation of human rights. How would a sentence like that make any child a better person? If anything, it would have more of a negative effect.

Police records show that anyone sentenced to time in an adult jail, will most-likely return in a short period. Most reports and investigations, such as Amnesty Internationals, show that juveniles sentenced to adult jails are more prone to violence than they would be outside of jail. Everyday, these children would have to defend themselves, and go through a violent struggle to get moments worth of peace and freedom. Arguments against placing juveniles in adult prisons cites a recent report from the state of Connecticut which found that youthful offenders who were placed in alternative programs were much less likely to be arrested again than juveniles sentenced to adult facilities. The American Civil Liberties Union opposes sending youthful offenders to adult prison, stating that incarcerating juveniles in adult jails puts the juveniles in danger. At the ACLU's website research is cited showing that children held in adult institutions are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted, twice as likely to be beaten by staff and fifty percent more likely to be attacked with a weapon than youngsters confined to a juvenile facility.

There are many solutions to reinsure the safety of children. The public should demand the government to build juvenile facilities. Local study states that 87% of people surveyed agreed there should be a separate facility for serious juvenile offenders. Trying a juvenile as an adult and placing him into adult prison is one thing but then we place them in danger. Building new juvenile facilities would not only help the overcrowding; it would keep the child safe. Having juveniles sentenced to this type of facility until the age of eighteen and then transferred to an adult institution may be a solution.

The facility should hold the same discipline as an adult prison, but keeping the services provided to a minimum. We are trying to teach these criminals a lesson. Neither juvenile nor adult prison should be a pleasant place to live. There have been many recent trends in Juvenile law enforcement from ranches, to boot camps even holding the parents responsible for the parents responsible for their childrens crime (Landau 97). It is stated that students should be taught at a young age in school that if you do the crime you serve the time it also states that a society will not rest until we are crime free (Garcetti 179). Additional problems with the system consist of the educating of society on youth offenders and it was designed for misdemeanors not felonies (Garcetti 176).

The reformation of the juvenile system could reduce the number of juveniles being tried as adults. However, reforming the juvenile justice system consists of many things. In Minnesota, they have a system for juveniles where they receive two sentences Probation and adult time in jail for serious crimes. A violation of probation will land a child in jail (Valentine). Seventy-four percent surveyed agreed this form of punishment was fair and all 50 states should follow this program. Removing violent offenders from the system, limiting the confidentiality of juvenile offenders, and deliver real rehabilitation are all ways to help reform the system.

Accountability can also help revise the system, make the parents and the child responsible (Garcetti 176). Blaming the parents for the actions of their children may help eliminate youthful crime. It is said that juveniles that live in low-income areas are more subjected to crime. Parents need to take better care of their children. By charging parents with the crime, that their child has committed the United States is sending a mixed signal to us. The Supreme Court ruled that sixteen-year-olds convicted of murder may be treated as adults and sentenced to death.

But if sixteen-year-olds are treated as adults in such instances, how can parents be held responsible for the behavior of children that age (Landau 102). States need to take a closer look into the juvenile's family lives. If there is a sign of neglect or abuse then the child should be removed from the home. In a survey I conducted, 23% stated that the parent should be held responsible for the actions of the offender. Charging the parents with crimes committed by a child can be a dangerous game of roulette. Not all the parents do not teach their children what is write and wrong and probably all do not encourage them to commit crimes.

Generally, due to some circumstances families are not able to give adequate treatment to their kids.