Blog Post #2

Life Sentence for a Juvenile?

        

        In today’s society, much attention has been given to juvenile crime. The common

thought by many is, “do the crime, do the time.” To some this phrase says it all, yet to

others this phrase represents all that is wrong with our justice system – both for juveniles

and adults. However, it is no question that sentencing a juvenile to life in prison without

the possibility parole is a controversial topic.

        The intent of this blog, is not to persuade the public to choose a position on the

issue, rather it is to supply the open-minded reader with the knowledge and information

necessary to develop a rational, non-biased opinion. Furthermore, this blog will focus

primarily on the concerns of sentencing juveniles to a life sentence.

        In an article by David Greenwald, he notes, “… [in California] each new youth

offender given this sentence will cost the state upwards of $2.5 million” (Greenwald).

With that said, it is suffice to say that this sentencing process not only affects the

juvenile, but also the taxpayer. Better said, it affects all of society. Could this be the

representation of our tax dollars hard at work or hardly working? Is it possible that

society has merely become complacent with the notion that the problem will be resolved

by placing the juvenile into the justice system? Can we as society, not better develop a

legitimate fix for the problem, one that not only saves money, but more importantly saves

juveniles?

        While Greenwald identifies the monetary concern of sentencing juveniles to life

in prison, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Christine Armer, focuses on an entirely

different concern. Her concern, equally as important to that of Greenwald’s, identifies the

likelihood of re-offending by juveniles. In a written statement, Armer noted that, “8

percent [of juveniles] went on to commit more than half of the repeat offenses and [were]

likely to become career criminals" (HollisterFreelance.com). As suggested, her research

concludes that only a small percentage of offenders will become repeat, habitual/career

criminals. With this re-offender percentage taken into account, it can further be suggested

that the states and the nation moreover, are throwing away endless amounts of money for

unjustifiable and illogical reasons. With only 8% of juveniles likely to become reoffenders,

it is only rational to suggest that all monies spent on the remaining percentage

of life sentence juveniles, those unlikely to re-offend, have been done in such a way that

simply advocates injustice. Ironically, while we see this reoccurring outcome of injustice,

we see it too, to be the actions of a great nation that takes pride in the enforcement of

“justice for all”.

        Evidence further suggests it is more cost productive to afford juveniles an

alternative form of punishment. Marc Levin, Esq. notes that in the state of Texas, “saving

a youth from becoming a chronic offender results in $1.7 million to $2.3 million in

avoided lifetime costs to taxpayers and victims” (Levin). In better explanation, Levin’s

data suggests identifying an alternative approach to juvenile sentencing. By way of

incorporating an alternative method, appropriate investments can be made, and the

implementation of correcting delinquent acts committed by juvenile’s can be initiated.

The result of initiating an alternative approach? The reductions in repeat crime offenses,

repeat crime offenders, and reckless spending.

        The last issue of this area, and possibly the most deserving of further research, is

that of juvenile brain development. Yian Lo of Neuro Law Blog notes that, “immature

development in the frontal lobe means that a juvenile is less capable of controlling their

impulses and understanding future consequences … these findings do not suggest that a

juvenile is incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, but just [maintains] less

executive control and foresight during a momentary impulse” (Lo). With the previously

noted confirmation, and through factual supportive data, it is suggested that this topic remains in need of further review. Furthermore, it is in society’s best interest, that we develop an alternative to this extreme sentencing.

        The research previously mentioned does not imply that the criminal justice system

be rid of juvenile life sentencing; rather, it charges society to determine the appropriate

actions to better resolve an ongoing problem.
        The youth of today are the future of tomorrow. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to develop an alternative form of sentencing that will be more beneficial to all of society.

Sources:


Greenwald, David. “Yolo Judicial Watch.” Effort At Juvenile Justice Reform Triggers War of Words Between Sac DA and Senator Yee. Yolo Judicial Watch, 05 Aug 2010. Web. 25 Feb 2011
http://davisvanguard.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3647:effort-at-juvenile-justice-reform-triggers-war-of-words-between-sac-da-and-senator-yee&Itemid=100


Levin, Mark. “Getting More for Less in Juvenile Justice.” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Center for Effective Justice, Mar 2010. Web. 25 Feb 2011
http://www.njjn.org/media/resources/public/resource_1535.pdf

“Tracking repeat juvenile offenders.” HollisterFreelance.com. Hollister Free Lance News, 24 Feb 2011
http://www.freelancenews.com/news/62293-tracking-repeat-juvenile-offenders

Lo, Yian.  “Are Juveniles Offenders Incorrigible”?.” NeuroLaw Blog. NeuroLaw Blog, 23 Nov 2010. Web. 25 Feb 2011
http://blog.neulaw.org/?p=1569

Blog Post #1

Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

          Increasing rates of juvenile incarceration have become one of the most recognizable and costly social problems of today.  It is naturally  easier to turn our attention away from juvenile offenders; and, our society has established  its norm  as taking the easy way out. Many suggest the most logical way to rid society of these perceived criminals is to send them away and let them become the state’s burden. However, the lack of public knowledge allows the costly effects and repercussions of incarcerating young offenders  to remain unknown to the majority of society.  

            In December 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the juvenile population to be 74,548,215 (U.S. Census Bureau).  Of the total juvenile population, approximately 93,000 were being held in juvenile detention facilities. In the United States, the estimated total cost per day, to house juveniles in  all of the detention facilities nationwide   is $7.1 million (Justice Policy Institute). It was  noted that states spent  nearly $5.7 billion per year imprisoning the youth of America (Justice Policy Institute).

             Money spent on incarcerating young offenders can more logically be used to offer them the opportunity to live a more productive and contributing life. Juvenile offenders, although perceived to be destined to live a life of crime, are much more likely to commit themselves to a life free of crime, given the proper direction and support.

            How would we go about helping the juveniles? The first step, is to recognize the contributing factors that lead the particular juvenile to engage in delinquent activities. Through exploration and research,  the  factors that set the juvenile(s) into his or her delinquent lifestyle can be determined. Through the incorporation of moneys allotted to incarcerate juveniles, delinquency prevention programs can be further established These programs can then help develop more honest, intelligent, and socially contributing individuals.

            Through the use of moneys invested in juvenile delinquency prevention, areas  - such as in education, recreation, community involvement, and parent-child interaction training -  can  develop a more  proactive approach to ensure juveniles gain the attention and support they need to develop a stable position in society. To elaborate on these areas:  in education, children can be taught at early ages the effects of drugs, gangs, sex, and weapons. Through recreation, time that would have otherwise resulted in delinquent acts, would  instead be used to develop positive friendships, personalities, and skills, as well as promote positive group activities such as sports. “The Department of Education reported that youths are most likely to commit crimes between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., with crime rates peaking at 3 p.m.” (Juvenile Delinquency Prevention). As for community involvement, “groups such as girl scouts and boy scouts, better provide youth the experience and opportunity to interact in a safe social environment” (Juvenile Delinquency Prevention). Finally, beneficial parent-child interaction will better establish a knowledgeable relationship between both the child and the parent. With this relationship in place,  parents have the necessary tools to better provide their child with appropriate living conditions and access to community programs.

              

            In the current time of national financial hardship, it is appropriate to revert the spending on incarcerating juveniles, to that of establishing a stronger foundation for the youth of America,  This action  will be a more proactive form of law enforcement and community assistance. Through reverting funding from its current focus, society will better be able to provide a more equitable, secure, and purposeful life to juveniles. Equitable, secure, and purposeful juveniles will further establish a stronger and more focused future. The future is in our hands! The children of the United States need help!  

            The next step? Develop a stronger focus on assisting juveniles pre-crime. Invest more in education, community recreation, and after school programs. Teach the children, who are the future of the United States, right from wrong. Give juveniles the opportunity to explore, assert, and reach their fullest potential. Exhaust all means necessary to ensure the children of today’s society have the direction, opportunities, and safety required to live productive lives.

            Stop delinquency before it starts. Help a child. Become involved.

Sources:


"U.S. Census Bureau." U.S. & World Population Clocks. N.p., 21 Dec 2010. Web 10 Feb 2011.
http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html 

"Justice Policy Institute."The Cost of Confinement: Why Good Juvenile Justice Policies Make Good Fiscal Sense. Justice Policy Institute, May 2009. Web. 10 Feb 2011 http://justicepolicy.org/images/upload/09_05_REP_CostsOfConfinement_JJ_PS.pdf

"Juvenile Delinquency Prevention." Juvenile Delinquency Prevention> Education, Recreation, Community Involvement. Einstein Law, 2008. Web. 10 Feb 2011. 
http://www.lawyershop.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/juvenile-law/prevention