Research Paper Assignment -
Should juvenile who commit crimes be tried as adults?
I. Introduction (Hook) - Example of a case
In February of 2009, a 26 y.o Kenzie Houk was found in bed with a bullet through her head, while being 8 months pregnant. One of the main suspects was her fiance's son who was 11. There is no limit is to when a child could be tried in the adult court in Pennsylvania. When convicted Jordan had to serve life in prison.
II. State my claim (arguable, explicit, and substantive) - Minors should receive sentences up two years because incarceration may highly affect their brain development, life in the future and potentially lead to incarceration again.
III. Mental Illnesses in Juvenile Prisons are not effectively treated.
1. Facts and statistics in prisons
2. Effects of it on people
3. Brain development and psychology
IV. Death penalties to children in the U.S
1. Rates
2. Death Row positives and negatives
3. Consequences
V. How does environment affect the juvenile?
1. Family
2. School
3. Neighborhood
4. Gang
VI. How does one's brain development affect the juvenile?
1. Talk about different parts of the brain and how they develop
2. How can the brain be influenced for life
Different types of institutions for the youth
- Prison
- Day at home and night in the institution
- Community service
- Therapy
VII - How can people start their life again after prison?"