Thursday, January 20, 2011
Reforming the Juvenile Justice System
I was concerned about the teen crime rate in my area and was prompted to do research to see what was being done. One county in Georgia has chosen to reuse old mobile homes previously used by the schools before permanent buildings were completed. The mobile homes are strategically placed throughout the county and house deputies who are accessible, and can respond immediately if there are problems. Trailers as Substations This same county increased school resource officers in 2004 and have increased referrals into the justice system from 89 to 1400. Although all these plans make perfect sense, none of these plans included the overcrowded conditions at the detention centers, and how so few judges would handle the additional workload. In my research, I came across this video on youtube about a Judge who is confronting teen problems and also involving the parents. I hope you like it.
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My first teaching position was in an adjudicated youth facility, which was a prison for 13-21 year olds. I learned so much from that experience and loved my job but some days it could be so depressing. Many of the students were sentenced due to murder and criminal sex offenses. They were products of their environment and after meeting some parents or hearing the social workers' stories you quickly realized nothing would change if they went back home and often when they were released they were picked back up and sent to prison. The most heart breaking part was when they had a court date coming up and they would try anything to stay at the prison instead of having to go home. Sometimes when dealing with this population it is much better to not involve the parents!
ReplyDeleteJust my opinion of course! :)
ReplyDeleteI too have spent some time working in the correction system, and it is sad that they feel more at home surrounded by their prison buddies than on the outside with family. What's also sad is that after a while, you can see the signs. You try all you can to prevent that train wreck, but there is little you can do, but pray it doesn't happen on your watch. These are the parents that won't show up on parent conference day, and if they do, very little is accomplished.
ReplyDeleteGloria, I think this judge will make a huge difference in the lives of those young adults. I think his intentions are great and I think young teens need to understand that there are serious consequences to your choices, good and bad. Teaching in a behavioral classroom, most of my students have been in the juvenile court system, not once, but several times. I think if they were held accountable for their actions, then their behaviors might change. Warnings are not enough for these troubled juveniles, there needs to be consequences. Having both parents in a child's life can be an advantage, however, there are strong families that only have one parent households.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This judge makes parents and children accountable. It is a refreshing form of justice.
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