Should Juvenile Offenders Be Imprisoned?

They slip on their favorite blue jeans and the new shirt they just got from the mall, excitement for what the night will bring welling up inside them. Running down the stairs they meet their parents at the end, the last thing they remember is their parent lifting that bottle to their lips and popping that last pill, maybe even taking a puff off the pipe." They feel sadness knowing their parents can not take care of them because their parents suffer from their own addictions. They know the only food they will eat and the clothes they wear; like today's will be stolen. Across town, she is 16 years old and the only thing she had ever wanted is a family who would have her back; a family who will be there when she needed them; a family who would love her. Her friends offer her that kind of love, a family through thick and thin, the only requirement: do what she was told. Tonight she will become one of the family, her task... she must kill a rival; someone who has invaded her home territory, someone who has disrespected not only her, or her colors, but her family. That is what family does.... right? Just down the road he is a 17 year-old with his only goal in life and coincidentally the only crime he had ever committed being one and the same....to see just how much weed he could smoke. All three youth committed a crime although the severity of their crimes differed greatly they will be punished....or will they? Juvenile offenders are a growing trend in the United States today and the punishment given is often considered tough and even at times drastic by many adults, while to the youth they are not so bad. Should we as a society be lenient on juvenile offenders or should they be imprisoned?

Current statistics show that violent crimes among juveniles are falling since 2006; in fact, currently violent crimes are down by approximately 1,151 just within a one year period. In 2007 violent crimes among youth ages 18 and under were reported at 254,805; however in 2006 this same age group was reported at 255,956 thus showing a large drop in violent crimes among youth 18 and under. [Crime and the United States (2007, 2006) FBI] While statistics are showing a decline in violence, it is showing a large increase in non-violent crimes such as drug abuse and disorderly conduct. This rise is reported as being approximately 5,769 more arrests.

Juvenile crimes have been rising and falling, yet the punishments have remained primarily the same. Probation is a common punishment used for juveniles to keep them from being in a lock up facility, or put in some type of boot camp or high management group home. Unfortunately, many times these youth believe that probation is not a real punishment and the payments that have to be made are often made by the parents. Melinda a 17 year-old white female in South Carolina recently attended her court case; court ended this day with Melinda placed on probation for vandalism and other misdemeanor offenses. Melinda was asked what she thought about being placed on probation rather than suffering more dire consequences. Her reply was "At least I was not put in jail, and it is really no big deal because all I have to do is be good and I will be fine, that will be the end of my probation." Her reaction much like many youth was implying that probation was merely a slap on the hand while she felt imprisonment was a much harsher sentence. Out of approximately 1.1 million delinquency cases about 58% resulted in probation while only 14% ended in some type of outside placement. [OJJDP (no date) no author]

Imprisonment is seen as a harsh punishment by many; however, when a juvenile is imprisoned they are forced to modify their behavior. There have been several youth that have been incarcerated and upon leaving have stated that it was being imprisoned that changed them around. In these placements the youth have been taught new coping skills as well as ways that they can deal with others both inside and outside of the prison gates. While incarcerated these youth are required to complete programs that give expectations for the youth to live by as well as being required to abide by the laws of the lands just as if they were in the outside world. [Jail Time Can Do A Child Good (2007) Neustatter]

There are both good and bad points when it comes to dealing with prisons and juveniles. Many people believe that juvenile prisons have too many staff that are not properly trained to handle violent juvenile offenders. If this is truly the case then prisons would be more dangerous for both the juveniles as well as the guards meant to keep the juveniles safe. Other things that have caused the debate of juveniles and imprisonment include the many documented cases of sexual and physical abuse by the guards that are meant to show the youth proper behaviors. Throughout the past five years there have been several prisons for juveniles closed because of unsafe living conditions and the fact that there are other offenders present that are extremely violent and unable to be handled by Juvenile corrections officers (JCO). Many argue that these youth should be placed in adult prisons where the guards are better equipped to cope with the behavior problems by these youth. [Criminal Youth Should Be Imprisoned (2006) Backstrom] Opposition on imprisoning youth also argue that it is very expensive to keep these youth incarcerated, and the money used for this purpose could be spent on prevention rather than keeping youth locked up like animals in a cage. These opposing members go on to state that youth locked up in these situations often return; in fact, statistics show that approximately 9 of every 10 return within the first three years after they are originally released. [Criminal Youth Should Not Be Imprisoned (2006) Anderson]

Some people who oppose youth imprisonment refer to the argument that youth under the age of 16 are not psychosocially developed enough to be held accountable for their criminal actions.

While there are people in society that oppose imprisoning youth there are those who feel it is well justified to send the offending youth to a lock up facility. Their reasoning for this is, when a youth is placed in prison or other lock up facility they are given the opportunity to better their lives. These programs include accredited schooling so the youth has the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or if they choose a GED which many of these youth would never accomplish while on the opposite side of the prison fence. Other programs that are offered include counseling (both mental and life skill) as well as the opportunity to speak with therapists that can help them learn proper coping and life skills. On July 11, 2009 a group of youth between the ages of 14 and 18 were asked the question "Should youth offenders be imprisoned?" Among these 8 youth each stated that she believed youth should be imprisoned. Wynta, 18, stated "Youth that commit crimes should be treated just like adults, if an adult would be locked up then the kids should be too. It is all about the safety of the community, if the adult is locked up and the kid is not then society must worry about if the kid will keep committing the same crimes that the community needs to be protected from." She went on to say that at one point she had committed a crime and when placed in jail she learned quickly that she did not ever want to return. She has been in several type of lock up facilities and expressed that this is where she was able to gain her GED, she plans on attending college in her near future. Jessica a 15 year-old mother of a two year-old stated, "When I got locked up I was mad; I thought that I would just sit there and serve my time then get out and keep doing the same thing I did before. But when I met the staff there and they explained to me the rules of the program and gave me my expectations I realized that this was the place I would be able to get help. I had a lot of problems and needed some help, now I have two months left and I will be able to get out of here and be in independent living taking care of my son instead of him or myself being in foster care." These youth are not the only ones who have benefited from programs in lock up facilities; other documented cases include a program in McKinney, TX. On June 6, 2009 three incarcerated young men earned their high school diplomas, these youth while incarcerated attended high school classes taught in their facility by teachers from McKinney ISD. They maintained passing grades, earned the 22 necessary credits, and passed exit level exams in core classes. These youth accomplished something that is very rare as it is more likely for a youth that is incarcerated to earn a GED or nothing rather than complete high school. [McKinney center helps teen offenders earn high school diplomas (2009) Dallas Morning News]

In conclusion, there are times when sending a juvenile offender to prison is a good thing. By sending the juvenile to jail it will help them learn new coping methods, and they will learn that not all actions come up with good consequences. While a juvenile is incarcerated they have the opportunity to further their education as well as talk with someone who will help them decide how to find a better way of life. The one debate heard throughout the juvenile justice field has to do with a juvenile and how they should or should not be punished. Both sides of the argument have good points as to what should be done with these juveniles; however, the debate still remains. Knowing this one can decide; should we as a society be lenient on juvenile offenders or should they be imprisoned?

References:
Crime in the United States [No Author] (2007) Federal Bureau of Investigation

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2007/about/index.html

Crime in the United States [No Author] (2006) Federal Bureau of Investigation

http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/about/index.html

Statistical Briefing Book [No Author] (no date) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/probation/overview.html

Angela Neustatter. "Jail Time Can Do a Child Good." Current Controversies: School Violence. Ed. Lucinda Almond. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. 15 July 2009

Backstrom, James C. "Criminal Youth Should Be Imprisoned." America's Prisons. Ed. Clare Hanrahan. Opposing Viewpoints®. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. 15 July 2009

Anderson, Lenore. "Criminal Youth Should Not Be Imprisoned." America's Prisons. Ed. Clare Hanrahan. Opposing Viewpoints®. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. 16 July 2009

"McKinney center helps teen offenders earn high school diplomas." Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX). (June 6, 2009): NA. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. 16 July 2009Adolescent Development and Its Effect on Juvenile Justice Policy (2005)Alexia Davishttp://law.loyno.edu/sba/organizations/filedownload.php?ResourceId=16