Incarcerating Minors

There is much debate over whether or not juveniles should ever be tried as adults. Juveniles are defined as children under the age of 18. In the past, juveniles have been tried in a separate juvenile court because of their age. However, trying juveniles as adults for violent crimes is a trend that is on the rise. Age is supposed to be a deterrent for placing those under 18 on trial and giving them stiffer punishments that are often reserved for adults. Many debate whether or not juveniles really should have less severe punishments or if trying some juveniles as adults will lower juvenile crime rates.

Counterpoint: That’s unfortunate, but not the United States problem. The act of breaking the law is not a coincidence, but a conscience choice with built in risk. There is a process to gain legal citizenship in place to help properly integrate immigrants into this country. The kids that are US citizens of illegal immigrants are burdened by the enormous responsibilities on having to help their

In America we sometimes house juveniles and adults in the same prison system. In the state of Wisconsin in 2014, we have incarcerated 121 minors into the adult system. While incarcerating these juveniles in the prison system some may wonder how does it affect a juvenile, Also what problems do they face while in prison and lastly, how has their life change for better or worse after they are released back into society.

If judges and prosecutors didn’t care to learn how adult prisons affect juveniles, our juvenile crime rates would be very different than they are today. If juveniles were tried and put into adult prisons, we would be creating more criminals rather than trying to prevent them. According to U.S. Dep’t of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, they said “If the point of juvenile courts is to deter and rehabilitate juveniles so that they can succeed as adults, then it is important to evaluate the success of that mission when a juvenile is charged as an adult in the criminal justice system” (Scialabba). Some judges and prosecutors believe putting juveniles in adult prisons will deter them from delinquency rather than the

“They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people,” per President Trump about Mexico. A massive understatement, as one study indicates that an increase in immigrant concentration in American cities may even lead to a decrease in crime (MacDonald). Yet, a problem remains. Illegal immigrants have broken the law to be in the United States (US), even if they have committed no other crimes while in the US. That said, programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that reprieves the children of illegal immigrants from deportation and allows them to receive work permits, encourages immigrants to illegally seek refuge in the US. More problematic, the program is fleeting and, in the long run, does not provide undocumented immigrants with the protection they truly need.

These children/youths were brought by their parents illegally making many eligible for DACA which is linked to the high volume of DACA applications. Facts such as this proves the need for a policy like DACA. On the other hand, members of our society constantly ask “why should we care”. We should care because children should be given the opportunity to thrive and succeed regardless of their documentation status. Society should care because the prospects and potential for this group success is limited, but more importantly, the discrimination, isolation and fear that they go through should not be experienced by any child or adolescent in our

The article Notes “From the Field The Criminalization of Undocumented Migrants: Legalities and Realities” by Tanya Golash-Boza talks about how undocumented migrants are treated like criminal even though they are told that the detention center is not a prison, it is still a form of prison that separate people from their many. They also told that deportation is not a punishment but it is a form of punishment because it separate families from their love once, and sometimes put them back in a situation they were running from in the first place. Undocumented migrants feel as though this is a cruel punishment because most of them did not choose to be undocumented. They just happen to be especially those who parents brought them to the United State

The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board, “Young, Alone and in Court”, the Editorial Board addressed two main points, the primary reasons surrounding the rapid increase of underage immigrants crossing the border and the United States’ failure to effectively address the immigration issues

Currently, there is a grand senate plan that will form the core of any successful reform effort. The program considers a second chance too many non-citizens who are convicted of criminal activities. Moreover, immigration departments together with the judges would be powerless to make exceptions for the aliens if they were to be put into deportation proceedings. These people have lived their lives in the United States since their childhood and consequently, have established strong family ties to the U.S. people. Many of them are lawful permanent residents, but the crime may have been a relative minor. No matter, even the people that have served out their punishment and have been ardent law-abiding citizens would have less or no hope of getting right with the law (Morawetz 29). It is, therefore, needless to say, deportation of the immigrant with criminal records is an easy political tool to campaign on, but it calls for sobriety. Eviction becomes the best alternative in situations where all social justice

Juveniles committing crimes is not a new issued being introduced to society; actually, it has been an issue for centuries. However, the big question is, should juveniles be tried in adult courts? Before answering, take into consideration every possible scenario that could have led them to commit the crime. For instance, were they the leader in the act? Did they participate in the crime? Was the juvenile even aware of what was taking place? Were they peer pressured? Did they have any other choice at the time? There are so many other questions we could consider when making a decision here.

I do not think there is anything to help equip juveniles deal with the issues getting transferred to an adult prison. While in juvenile detention the youths are house with 53 other young kids sentenced as adults. Once the prisoner turns 18 they get transferred to the adult block where now there are 200 hundred other inmates and also bucking with another cell mate. Also it seems like In the documentary the kids were pushed to get and finish getting their G.E.D. while in jail. I don’t think there would be the same type of encouragement in adult prison. Last is while serving time in juvenile detention you was house with similar aged people and for the most part was there to do their time without trouble. Didn’t have any hardened criminals

Immigrant’s criminal behavior is likely to change once immigrants leave their country of origin and get into a foreign country either illegally or legally. This is based on the recognition that that diverse migrant individuals are likely to have modifications in all of the constituents of life,( Nielsen and Martinez, 2011). Immigrants would have the fear of being deported back to their country’s’ of origin especially if their country’s’ are not stable politically are wars are being experienced, If they have a chance of making a decent living in the foreign country. If they are illegal immigrants they would fear the legal proceedings hence they have to lie low and keep away from the authorities. Assuming the migrants had much poorer legal labor market chances in their native country, whether attributed to their unemployment rates or their wages were lower, this would intensify the possibility of criminal behavior of immigrants compared to the natives, (Machin and Meghir 2004). If they are coming from desperate backgrounds and they need their lives to change.

By law adolescents are not able to vote, purchase tobacco or alcohol, join the armed forces, or sign a legal contract. Children are not permitted the same rights and responsibilities as adults because the law recognizes their inability to make adult decisions. The law acknowledges that children are unable to handle the consequences that come along with the rights that adults have. By allowing them to be charged as adults is holding them to a double standard. Telling them that they are not old enough to enjoy the same luxuries as adults, but they can experience the same punishment as adults if they commit a crime. The law acknowledged the inability of children to make decisions but still allows them to suffer the same consequences as adults. Research demonstrates that transferring children from juvenile court to adult court does not decrease recidivism, and in fact actually increases crime. Instead of the child learning their mistake they are more likely to repeat it. Juvenile detention centers have programs that help reconstruct young minds and help them realize where they went wrong. Prison does not offer this same opportunity. (Estudillo, Mary Onelia)

As stated in the recent paragraph, there are reasons for why this injustice has been brought upon immigrants. The republicans in office (who now control congress), have been one of the main sources of deportation issues (White House: Immigration). They disagree with President Obama’s efforts on trying to change the immigration system ways in efforts in helping the immigrants rather than just simply deporting all of them. What congress needs to understand is that they cannot assume that all immigrants who come to the United States are criminal’s. In order to make this reality, the system has to be revised so there are no mistakes made; resulting to families are not separated for no criminal cause. An immigration lawyer found that he does not

Alternative punishments in lieu of prison for minor crimes, such as minor drug charges, will