A judge from Houston posted an article this month about how reforms in foster care will not be as effective if the juvenile justice system is not reformed as well. He mentions the statistics that show how foster care children are more likely to be brought into the foster care system, and how modifying the way that the juvenile justice system works is necessary toward giving those foster children their best chance at becoming adults who have experienced healthy social, emotional, and cognitive developments. The writer lists four proposed changes. The first is that care for those involved in the juvenile justice and CPS systems should be coordinated, and services should not be duplicated so as to best serve the youth. The second is that records for these children should be sealed when they turn eighteen, as it is hard enough for youth in foster care to find housing, jobs, and schooling. The third is that 17 year olds should not be sent to adult jail automatically, but that there should be an option for them to be put in safer and more treatment-focused juvenile detention based on the degree of their offense. The final proposal is that children in the juvenile justice system with mental health needs should have those needs met with effective services in their communities. I think that this judge's note is an important one, and that it is a good idea to tailor services based on the communities that they are being provided to.
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/Schneider-Improving-foster-care-should-include-11010594.php
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Point of View: For Kids' Sake, Reform Juvenile Justice System
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/opinion/point-view-for-kids-sake-reform-juvenile-justice-system/Sle0Rchrsxshjepg0zo0MI/
Former assistant public defender for Palm Beach County, Fl, Talitha Hazelton, discusses the need to pass CS/SB 192 which will provide a barrier to prosecutors to "direct file" children charged with specific offenses to adult court. The article did not include the specific about the bill, so I was able to find a summary from the ACLU (https://aclufl.org/2017/03/06/the-florida-campaign-for-criminal-justice-reform-launches-in-advance-of-legislative-session/):
Children Tried as Adults – Florida prosecutes more children as adults than any other state. CS/SB 192 would grant judges oversight of prosecutor’s “direct-file” discretion, remove certain nonviolent offenses from eligibility for adult charges and retain voting rights for children convicted as adults.
While I had a general understanding of the different "intended" focus of juvenile court (rehabilitation) to that of adult court (punishment and maybe rehabilitation), I had not really considered how judges and jurors probably automatically consider a juvenile to be a "hardened criminal" just because he/she is being tried in adult court and should be punished. It would be interesting to see the conviction rate and sentence severity for juveniles tried in adult court verses tried in juvenile court in Florida. It would also be useful to find out how many Floridians are aware that prosecutors can send juveniles to adult courts without a process to ensure that the child is beyond "redemption" and in need of an adult level of punishment. How many true criminals has Florida created by treating children who have made mistakes as career criminal adults?
I appreciated Hazelton's reflection on the support and child welfare focus of the juvenile system where children are treated like the growing, developing person they are with the belief that they can learn from mistakes and become better. The focus on removing the child from the situation from which deviant behavior arose into an environment of supported responsibility and education should help many children to move onto a better way of living. Although I do think Hazelton provides the most positive portrayal of Florida's juvenile justice system that may be a bit idealized, she does show the contrast the dehumanizing, punitive aspect of adult court from that of nurturing and rehabilitation of juvenile court. There is a huge difference between viewing a person as someone with potential needed guidance to succeed and considering someone without redemption and in need of punishment. It will be interesting in this time of "law and order" if the Florida legislature will consider how the system is failing these children and ruining their future to be contributing citizens or if it will just continue to funnel these children into prisons and very bleak futures.
Youth Today published an article discussing treatment for youth offenders after contact with the criminal justice system. The article discusses the impact of out of home placements on youth and the inability of these interventions to address factors that can lead youth to recidivate. This article highlights the need for community based programs that address the factors that place youth at risk for contact with the criminal justice system.
Ideally, the treatment of at risk youth would place a high level of importance on proactive interventions that address risk factors for contact with the criminal justice system.Once youth enter the criminal justice system, they have moved beyond proactive interventions and the interventions need two focus on factors that contribute to recidivism. The implementation of home and community based programs address risk factors within the youth's support system or addresses the lack of support.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/12/beyond-bars-keeping-young-people-safe-at-home-and-out-of-youth-prisons/
Ideally, the treatment of at risk youth would place a high level of importance on proactive interventions that address risk factors for contact with the criminal justice system.Once youth enter the criminal justice system, they have moved beyond proactive interventions and the interventions need two focus on factors that contribute to recidivism. The implementation of home and community based programs address risk factors within the youth's support system or addresses the lack of support.
http://youthtoday.org/2016/12/beyond-bars-keeping-young-people-safe-at-home-and-out-of-youth-prisons/
Mental Illness-- Juvenile Population
http://nbc4i.com/2017/03/21/i-71nb-closed-near-grove-city-after-pedestrian-struck/
As I am sure everyone has seen, a male juvenile was part of a semi accident within the past couple days. This accident occurred in Grove City Ohio on the morning of March 21st 2017. When his happened, the male walked out in front of the semi truck. Luckily, the driver seen him and was able to stop his truck to some extent.Although he was able to slow down some, the boy was still hit and banged up pretty bad. According to the article, the boy was taken to Grant Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He is now out of the ICU, which is great news!
This juvenile was from the Buckeye Ranch, which is where those between the ages of ten to seventeen. This is a place where these individuals are not sentenced to but where they are taken when they have a mental health condition that needs to be treated. At one point in the article, the leader of this facility states that he does not know where they would be if they were not here. In other words, he states that he feels that they would be homeless, in jail or at an emergency room waiting to be seen by someone who is not capable of working with them and their mental illness.
As I am sure everyone has seen, a male juvenile was part of a semi accident within the past couple days. This accident occurred in Grove City Ohio on the morning of March 21st 2017. When his happened, the male walked out in front of the semi truck. Luckily, the driver seen him and was able to stop his truck to some extent.Although he was able to slow down some, the boy was still hit and banged up pretty bad. According to the article, the boy was taken to Grant Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He is now out of the ICU, which is great news!
This juvenile was from the Buckeye Ranch, which is where those between the ages of ten to seventeen. This is a place where these individuals are not sentenced to but where they are taken when they have a mental health condition that needs to be treated. At one point in the article, the leader of this facility states that he does not know where they would be if they were not here. In other words, he states that he feels that they would be homeless, in jail or at an emergency room waiting to be seen by someone who is not capable of working with them and their mental illness.
After reading what happened, it made me really think about
this population. It made me think about why these individuals are driven to
this place in the first place. I know that they are diagnosed with a mental illness, but the question of what
their home life has been like is one thing that strikes me. Mental illness is
something that can lead a juvenile down a negative path and can lead them to
make irrational decisions that can really have a negative impact on their
lives. In this case, this individual made he decision to end his life. This is
one of the many decisions that can come from this decision making. In other
words, what led him to feeling this is the only answer? Could he have felt
like this is an escape from the life his has always known? Anyways, I feel that
these individuals need to be heard and that they have a past that many may not
know about. So, their cases in the justice system should be looked at on an
individual basis, but that they should be looked at as a whole person. Just
like it has been mentioned, they would most likely be homeless or in jail
without places such as the Buckeye Ranch. These individuals are human beings
and deserve to be treated with respect and often times, I do not think they are
treated as such. Their lives are just beginning and just like with this
individual, they deserve to be heard and understood. I believe this juvenile
has so much to their story and I hope they are helped more and made to feel like
they do deserve to be here on Earth.
-- Jennifer Lampinen
2 teens at center of juvenile crime debate
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93887&page=1
This ABC news article discusses a debate that we have talked about in class - should juveniles be tried as adults for violent crimes?
One of the young men Lionel Tate, age 14, was sentenced to life without parole due to the death of his 6-year-old playmate. Florida law stated that Lionel must receive a mandatory life sentence because of his charge of first degree murder. Tate was 12-years-old when he killed his play mate.
Charles Williams, age 15, now faces adult court for a "shooting spree" at Santana High School. The California law - Proposition 21 - enforces these laws with juveniles in the hopes to deter other juveniles from committing similar crimes.
I felt that this article was relevant after the discussions we have had on brain development and "adult crime for adult time". I also have my bachelors in criminal justice and feel very strongly about this topic. While currently working in a trauma informed agency I have gained a lot of insight on crime and how children can reach out in inappropriate ways for acceptance.
This ABC news article discusses a debate that we have talked about in class - should juveniles be tried as adults for violent crimes?
One of the young men Lionel Tate, age 14, was sentenced to life without parole due to the death of his 6-year-old playmate. Florida law stated that Lionel must receive a mandatory life sentence because of his charge of first degree murder. Tate was 12-years-old when he killed his play mate.
Charles Williams, age 15, now faces adult court for a "shooting spree" at Santana High School. The California law - Proposition 21 - enforces these laws with juveniles in the hopes to deter other juveniles from committing similar crimes.
I felt that this article was relevant after the discussions we have had on brain development and "adult crime for adult time". I also have my bachelors in criminal justice and feel very strongly about this topic. While currently working in a trauma informed agency I have gained a lot of insight on crime and how children can reach out in inappropriate ways for acceptance.
Youth justice study finds prison counterproductive
The article that I found discusses the lack of effectiveness in placing youth in prison environments. This article focuses on youth and the trauma that they have experienced up until the point in life where they come into contact with the justice system. The argument being that this model further exposes children to trauma, rather than assisting them in moving forward into successful adulthood. As an alternative, the study compared results with small homes, community programs, and rehabilitative models. The study looks at the financial aspect of the current model, yet the lack of shown effectiveness, sharing that the recidivism rate is upwards of 70%. These alternatives push for youth to be involved in programs that are effective and allow the youth to get the rehabilitation and support needed, while still maintaining public safety.
The article can be found at:
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/10/youth-justice-study-finds-prison-counterproductive/
While looking into this topic, I also found an interesting article that discussed grant opportunities to press a change in the way youth in the justice system are served. These grants are focused on alternatives to youth detention center. I just thought it was awesome to see other cities and agencies thinking the same way and pushing their community to change to serve youth in a better way.
This information was found at:
http://www.lex18.com/story/34937050/grants-available-for-alternatives-to-juvenile-detention-programs
The article can be found at:
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/10/youth-justice-study-finds-prison-counterproductive/
While looking into this topic, I also found an interesting article that discussed grant opportunities to press a change in the way youth in the justice system are served. These grants are focused on alternatives to youth detention center. I just thought it was awesome to see other cities and agencies thinking the same way and pushing their community to change to serve youth in a better way.
This information was found at:
http://www.lex18.com/story/34937050/grants-available-for-alternatives-to-juvenile-detention-programs
What I Learned as a Kid in Jail
https://www.ted.com/talks/ismael_nazario_what_i_learned_as_a_kid_in_jail
This is a Ted Talk that was done in November of 2014. Ismael Nazario was involved in the juvenile justice system as a teenager and than involved in adult prison as a young adult. He spent 400 days on Rikers Island in New York. 300 of those days were spent in solitary confinement. He discusses the lack of discharge plans available for the teens so that they can have a successful, positive re-entry. However, he speaks about the impact that correctional officers can have to help positively influence the teens in the jail. In Riker Island, Ismael shares how the male officers tend to meet to the teens where they are at. Most of the young men that come into Riker Island have a lot of anger and hostility and take it out through physical altercations. He explains that the officers will fight inmates one-on-one because "they understand how it is." It gets handled the way they know and both walk away like men. It's like the fighting brings them together in a sense and respect is gained. Ismael tells a personal story of this exact thing happening while he was in jail. He points out though, that correctional officers need proper, appropriate training on how to deal with not only the adolescent population, but the mental health population as well. The officers play a significant role until a disposition is reached in these teens' cases. Ismael questions why they can't play a mentor role until then.
Ismael talks about how better programming can be used to help shape teens for a successful re-entry. He shares that things like reading and writing music was what helped him stay sane through solitary confinement. He questions why we can't target musically inclined or better incorporate art therapy that suits the interests to the inmates. The building that the teens are housed in on Rikers Island is nick-named the gladiator school, because it is just a bunch of young men trying to prove that they're tougher than everyone else. Ismael claims the danger that comes with that kind of culture and that institutions need help changing the culture where teens feel like change is possible and they don't need to continue the lifestyle that got them into trouble. He mentions that while he was in prison, it was sad to hear so many conversations about guys already planning to pick up where they left off before they went into prison. On the opposite had, he was encouraged to meet some of the most intelligent and talented people he has ever met.
Ismael ends his talk by expressing the things he would tell his 15 year old self if he could. He would encourage himself to be educated and that the people you are with and places you go can have life altering effects on you, either good or bad. These are the messages that we need to send to youth. He claims that we shouldn't be treating them like adults and putting them into cultures of violence.
I really enjoyed this Ted Talk because of how personal it was and that it wasn't just a bunch of numbers and statistics. We were able to hear real stories of what it is like to be a kid in prison. I thought Ismael hit some really good points that we need to be aware of. With the proper training, the juvenile justice system could really utilize important people in the prisons, like correctional officers, cooks, etc. So long as there is adequate training for adolescents AND working with mental health. He speaks on important treatment issues are treatment, but at the very end of his talk, mentions the importance of prevention, which I thought was great. Treatment is important because it is happening in the here and now, but as social workers looking for prevention methods should always be in the back of our minds.
This is a Ted Talk that was done in November of 2014. Ismael Nazario was involved in the juvenile justice system as a teenager and than involved in adult prison as a young adult. He spent 400 days on Rikers Island in New York. 300 of those days were spent in solitary confinement. He discusses the lack of discharge plans available for the teens so that they can have a successful, positive re-entry. However, he speaks about the impact that correctional officers can have to help positively influence the teens in the jail. In Riker Island, Ismael shares how the male officers tend to meet to the teens where they are at. Most of the young men that come into Riker Island have a lot of anger and hostility and take it out through physical altercations. He explains that the officers will fight inmates one-on-one because "they understand how it is." It gets handled the way they know and both walk away like men. It's like the fighting brings them together in a sense and respect is gained. Ismael tells a personal story of this exact thing happening while he was in jail. He points out though, that correctional officers need proper, appropriate training on how to deal with not only the adolescent population, but the mental health population as well. The officers play a significant role until a disposition is reached in these teens' cases. Ismael questions why they can't play a mentor role until then.
Ismael talks about how better programming can be used to help shape teens for a successful re-entry. He shares that things like reading and writing music was what helped him stay sane through solitary confinement. He questions why we can't target musically inclined or better incorporate art therapy that suits the interests to the inmates. The building that the teens are housed in on Rikers Island is nick-named the gladiator school, because it is just a bunch of young men trying to prove that they're tougher than everyone else. Ismael claims the danger that comes with that kind of culture and that institutions need help changing the culture where teens feel like change is possible and they don't need to continue the lifestyle that got them into trouble. He mentions that while he was in prison, it was sad to hear so many conversations about guys already planning to pick up where they left off before they went into prison. On the opposite had, he was encouraged to meet some of the most intelligent and talented people he has ever met.
Ismael ends his talk by expressing the things he would tell his 15 year old self if he could. He would encourage himself to be educated and that the people you are with and places you go can have life altering effects on you, either good or bad. These are the messages that we need to send to youth. He claims that we shouldn't be treating them like adults and putting them into cultures of violence.
I really enjoyed this Ted Talk because of how personal it was and that it wasn't just a bunch of numbers and statistics. We were able to hear real stories of what it is like to be a kid in prison. I thought Ismael hit some really good points that we need to be aware of. With the proper training, the juvenile justice system could really utilize important people in the prisons, like correctional officers, cooks, etc. So long as there is adequate training for adolescents AND working with mental health. He speaks on important treatment issues are treatment, but at the very end of his talk, mentions the importance of prevention, which I thought was great. Treatment is important because it is happening in the here and now, but as social workers looking for prevention methods should always be in the back of our minds.
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