help with peer responding to classmates discussion post

Do you think we should close juvenile prisons? If so, what alternatives would you recommend?

Jurisdictions are exploring alternative options to juvenile prisons through recommended rehabilitative treatment, therapy programs, and detention centers, (Hager, 2016). These alternatives are beneficial towards addressing the underlying problems and reducing juvenile chronic recidivism, (Hager, 2016). Although juvenile prisons are perceived as a harsher punishment due to isolation, I personally do not believe that juvenile prisons should be completely eradicated. Reasons being, certain juvenile offenders may need to be incapacitated in these facilities when all alternative treatment options have been exhausted, as opposed to housing juvenile inmates with adult inmates which opens them up to numerous risk factors, (Bernert, 2023). Moreover, juvenile confinement may be a fitted option that ensures the juvenile does not pose a threat to public safety, (Barnert, 2023).

Do you agree with the U.S. Supreme Court decision that juveniles 17 or under should not be sentenced to life?

I personally found it difficult in identifying whether I am in agreeance or not. However, from our previous discussions that explains why juvenile may engage in criminal activity, it may all be dependent on an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, substance abuse, experienced childhood traumas, and peer influence, (National Institute of Justice, 2024). Although I am in agreeance that if determined the juvenile can be culpable for their offense, he or she should be held responsible. Nonetheless, if sentenced to life, I do believe the individual should have an opportunity to have a second hearing, (National Institute of Justice, 2024). Furthermore, special considerations should come into play prior to a second hearing such as the juvenile's prior criminal history and if while serving their time, the individual has shown good behavior, (National Institute of Justice, 2024).

Juveniles constitute 1,200 of the 1.5 million people housed in federal and state prisons in this country, and nearly 200,000 youth enter the adult criminal-justice system each year, most for non-violent crimes, do you agree this is an effective practice in reducing juvenile crime and rehabilitating them?

No, for non-violent crimes, I do not believe this is an effective practice for reducing crime in juveniles. Incarceration should be reserved for heinous or violent crimes and repeat offenders. Resources should be allocated towards implementing effective strategies for rehabilitating the juvenile, rather than utilizing incarceration as a rehabilitative strategy itself. Furthermore, denying juvenile access to other alternatives such as community-based programs and treatments only increases the likelihood for criminal involvement upon release, but also interferes with their completion of education and hinders the juvenile from any chances of a high school graduation, (Annie Casey Foundation, 2023). Additionally, for most juvenile cases, incarceration in the adult criminal justice system does not improve their behavior, but rather exposes them to perilous situations and influence susceptibility, (Annie Casey Foundation, 2023). The deficiencies noted with confining juveniles in the adult criminal justice system for non-violent offenses highlights the critical need for reform, hiring and training of youth advocacy professionals and implementing robust rehabilitation programs across all jurisdictions for reducing crime, (Anne Casey Foundation, 2023).