Trying juveniles as adults has become a prominent issue in society due to an increase of minors being treated as adults in the legal court system. Mark Salzman's book, “True Notebook”, lets its readers explore the minds of the delinquents in Juvenile hall who have been determined to serve sentences in adult prison. From the book's perspective, it seems as if juvenile offenders benefit more in the juvenile system than they would in adult prison. In the juvenile system, rehabilitation is provided to help address the issues that led to legal misconduct. I fully agree that it is critical for these adolescents to have some sort of recovery opportunity. Without this aid, it's as if we are “throwing away their lives and giving up all hope for their future” according to Kweisi Mfume, “New Report Finds Growing Trend of Prosecuting Youth in Adult Court Casting Too Wide a Net; Many Youth Charged with Non-Violent Offenses”. In other words, by not offering some form of rehabilitation, we're refusing these young individuals a second chance. More often then not, unfortunate personal backgrounds greatly contribute to involvement in illegal activities; it's almost cruel to deny these misguided minors a chance to start over.
Before charging these offenders with severe punishments, personal backgrounds and, in a lot of cases, minority upbringings should be taken into consideration because these aspects of primary
socialization are key to an individual's livelihood. Statistically, most of the juveniles come from a broken family or no family, a topic widely discussed in Mark's writing class. As one student wrote, “They don't know what it's like when you come from a family that didn't have a father there to guide you in the right path” (29). When no role model is present, young people are likely to turn to the streets and join gangs. It is evident that parents play a vital role in their children's lives. Steve also mentioned that a particular girl looked up to him as a father figure because she lacked a stable man in her life. Never having that male figure, she confided in him and found the support she'd been seeking her entire life. It's undeniable that such children living in harsh environments are more prone to joining gangs and committing crimes simply because they're looking for a sort of support system and a place to belong, even if these organizations their activities aren't ideal. A student in Mark's class, Patrick, stated that “I felt different. I was from a gang now. I felt like I had power” (94). Joining a gang gave him the feeling of self worth that no one had given him before and gave him a sense of power which gained him respect from others. Also, some of the children saw the juvenile system as a better place to be than home itself. Victor who grew up in a poor family recalled often coming home from school with nothing to eat acknowledging that at least people in the juvenile system get fed. In an interview with Mitchell Steven, he stated the same fact, “that while maybe some of us have the assumption that these kids might not want to be there and feel pity for them it's just the opposite that these kids would rather be there than home … that they are happy to be their because now they are safe, its not as bad as you think, you've got somebody who cares about her. She's got the clothes and attention that an eleven year old needs.” In certain cases, offenders continue acting out in hopes to maintain residence in the hall. They believe that life behind bars is better than their home outside of them. Steve has experienced many cases where minors would rather serve there time in the juvenile system than on house arrest; their home issues are likely what led them to criminal behavior in the first place.
Though the public may see the juvenile system as a punishment for delinquents, the individuals in the hall often see it as a reward. Beneficial resources and programs such as schooling, mediation, church, writing class, mental and medical health are all offered through the juvenile system, a lot of which the residents haven't had the luxury of being exposed to before being sent to the hall. For example, Francisco, one of the students, was able to receive a high school diploma while serving his time at the juvenile system due to his trial being postponed. This achievement probably would not have been accomplished had he still been on the outs. Of course, all of Mark's students benefited from the writing class, seeing it as a venue to speak up and open their mind. The writing retreat was especially enjoyed, it was a day of personal freedom. There was a difference in the kids Mark taught, and those not fortunate enough to be a part of his class wanted to join in and eventually tried to experience it vicariously through others. Most of the students probably would not have interacted with each other if they were on the outs, but now they see one another as friends, better yet, a family. While serving their time in the system, some even claimed to have found God; faith gave them hope for a brighter future. The juvenile system also hosted activities like the Olympics in which the delinquents participated in and enjoyed. They take pride in competing in these annual events and see it as a day where they can forget about their troubles. Steve mentions that some kids prefer to stay at the hall until after the “Olympic” events even if they're suppose to be released beforehand. This supports the idea that providing troubled adolescents with a positive environment is more beneficial than punishing them. Sometimes that's all a kid needs, a bit of rejuvenation to get back on the right track and see life from a different, less awful perspective. Rehabilitation is a truly valuable, constructive mechanism that reminds juveniles that while some people focus on past mistakes, others are hopeful and confident in a better future. The positivity and encouragement provided in the juvenile system is essentially what delinquents need and is not found in adult prison.
When sent straight to adult prison, these individuals do not get the same rehabilitative opportunities. It is unfair for the legal system to try them as adults when they have been living their entire childhood figuratively behind bars. I feel it's important that these adolescents be at least introduced to some of the programs that the juvenile system has to offer; the consistent lack of safe and stable environments in their lives is likely to be their main issue and exposure to appropriate settings might be the perfect remedy to their criminal behavior. Denying these children a second chance and instantly throwing them in adult prison kills the little hope that some still hold. One of Mark's students wrote, “The people just think I am a piece of shit, but they never know I feel remorse. And I try to be a good person without my freedom, I am lonely. I need help. Sometimes I wonder how can I get my happiness without help?” (224). As told by Steven Mitchell in an interview, these delinquents want better for themselves which often involves getting a higher education, some even end up attending Foothill College. He ended the interview with a success story about a young man who served some time in the juvenile system, got his act together and went on to become student body president at Foothill College, commencement speaker at his graduation, and got a full ride scholarship to attend Columbia University where he fulfilled his dream of becoming an investment banker. Many of the students in Mark's class were reluctant to go to adult prison; they predicted it to be less beneficial than the juvenile system. Benny, one of the students, states his opinion on the matter, “Jail is not a place that makes a person rehabilitate. Jail is just a place that separates people... It doesn't teach a person anything” (291). Some juveniles fear the thought of being in the same pen as adults who have committed more serious crimes than themselves. If put in the same situation, I would be afraid as well; there have been numerous accounts of abuse in adult prison. Don't get me wrong, by no means do I think these delinquents should be rewarded or honored for their misdemeanors. Kwesi Mfume coincides by saying, “While we believe that youthful offenders must be held accountable for their actions, the fact that these youths are often housed with and exposed to adult offenders before and during their trials is troubling.” The idea of locking juveniles up in adult prison is not only disturbing to other Americans, but to international visitors as well.
Furthermore, Steve discusses the shock foreigners, Swedes in particular, experience when witnessing our legal system. The Swedish legal system is all about rehabilitation when it comes to juvenile crimes. In fact, Swedish criminals are given three strikes to get their act together and undergo extensive therapy while in the system so when released, they'll hopefully start off on a better path. The Swedes find it appalling that kids are put behind prison bars. They can't believe that these kids are locked up because where they're from, delinquents are given ten years to ponder their crimes and rehabilitate themselves so they can still have a successful future. Society can't expect or really hope for a positive future if they lock every kid up who commits misdemeanors. Troubled children deserve a chance to redeem themselves against their immature crimes which were likely influenced by unfortunate yet fated upbringings.
I personally do not agree with adolescent delinquents being tried as adults. I believe it is necessary for them to receive rehabilitation because being put in jail is a punishment, not a solution. The rehabilitating programs and resources offered by the juvenile system are beneficial for the juvenile offenders' physical and mental health. Rejuvenation of both is crucial for character building and developing hope for a brighter future.
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