Discussion Post: Juvenile Justice: Putting it in Perspective
In Chapter 1 of the text, our author talks about "putting it all into perspective." After reading chapters 1 and 2 and reviewing the video Young Kids, Hard Time (this video is recommended, but not required), select one of the juveniles from your reading, the movie, or you may speak from personal experience and a particular juvenile in mind. Address the three questions in the following quote from the video:
"In a world that demands justice when the unthinkable becomes reality, there are no easy answers when that reality involves minors. The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world and remains the only nation that, in rare circumstances, will sentence its juveniles to life without parole. Is it a solution? Does it work? Do we care?"
o Depending on the serious nature of the crime, juveniles should be tried in an adult court and be subject to adult punishments.
o Juveniles should not be punished with sentencing in adult prisons.
o Juveniles deserve a second chance. They should not be tried as adults or serve time in adult prisons.
o Sentencing juveniles to adult prisons is like saying society has given up and there is no treatment that can affect their adult potential. It is the responsibility of society to treat juveniles and that treatment should be administered in juvenile facilities.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.