A prison is no place for a child no matter what crime they've committed. In America some states not only put children/teenagers in prison but they use the death punishment on them as well. I think that is crazy. Yes these minors have done horrendous crimes but do not put them in an environment where they will be raped, and victimized. We need to put these children in specialized penitentiaries for minors who have committed heinous crimes. We (taxpayers) spend on average $25,000 a year to maintain a minimum security prisoner, if we put these children in an environment that will require them to steal, murder, prostitute themselves, or simply victimize others we only lengthen that 10 year conviction to a 25 year one bringing more money out of our pockets. So even if you didn't care about minors rights, you can at least think about where your money is going, and how effective its use has been. So from an ethical point of view what would make a jury send a teenager to an environment like that? Do you agree or disagree with the juries decision? Is it right to do this to these children/teenagers?
2007-12-04 11:35:03 · 7 answers · asked by A 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That seventeen year old boy is a BOY. Children make mistake their children. There is a different mindset of a teenager and an adult. When I was a teenager I did things that would have ruined the rest of my life, but it was done out of immaturity. Just because they look like adults doesn't mean they are. And no they are not all put in specialized a facility, that’s the problem.
2007-12-04 11:50:52 · update #1
Funny you should mention that, my uncle was robed and shot, hospitalized for months from one of these 'children'. The child obviously needs serious psychological help. We as a society need to try and put them in a more helpful environment, not throw them in with the rest of them.
2007-12-04 11:57:04 · update #2
I do think children should be tried as adults in limited circumstances. For example, imagine a "child" who is 17 and rapes and murders his 14 year old neighbor. In the juvenile system, you would send him to a detention center where he will be held for a relatively short period of time. This kind of person should be treated as an adult.
Edit: Are you kidding me? A 17 year old doesn't rape and murder out of "immaturity". Speeding, drinking, some drug use are all forgivable adolescent phases. Serious felonies are not.
2007-12-04 11:40:25 · answer #1 · answered by mikegreenwich 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
this is very wrong. I don't care how hard or psycho a child is.
When I was a teen I was a pretty hard kid myself and could have easily made a stupid mistake but even hardened street kids change when they mature and have more control .
For me the less control I had of my life the more rebellious I was I finally emancipated at 15 and never so much as got a ticket after.
I could have easily turned into one of those children on TV but I was still a child and so are they.
They deserve the option of rehabilitation only if they are willing so they don't waste tax money.
They deserve a safe environment and not to be grouped with violent criminal is there crime was not violent.
Minors deserve the same rights as adults when charged with a crime ( "are the less human or less American" ?.)
Honestly the best environment for some of these kids is a farm...
Children who commit murder at 16 -17 are not mature enough to understand the life long consequence or effect it will have.
The maximum sentence they should be given is 15 years without chance of parole and if they are Psychologically unfit for society they should be released to the care of a licensed care home where they can be supervised but not punished
2007-12-04 12:03:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think society is responsible for the child's actions. Society should re-evaluate itself, starting with the charging of children as adults.
The child needs psychological help, not punishment. If the child can't be psychologically helped, then there really is no other choice than to eventually lock the child up or euthanize the child, which society is completely responsible.
Society needs to be proactive not reactive.
2007-12-04 11:48:52 · answer #3 · answered by Arcanum Noctis 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You give the impression these are children like we see on TV playing hop scotch, swinging and playing with dolls.
Most are 16 and up. They are mature enough to plan and execute their terrible crimes. Many times taking a life or more.
I wonder how you would feel if one of your loved ones was murdered by one of these (children)???
2007-12-04 11:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by Nvr2soon 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It depends on what crime they committed. If they committed murder or rape, then yes, they should be in an adult prison.
2007-12-04 13:09:19 · answer #5 · answered by Dude 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Minors are not housed with adults even after certification.
They are housed in juvenile facilities until they become adults and then moved to an adult prison.
2007-12-04 11:38:19 · answer #6 · answered by Citicop 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I say if your big enough to do the crime your big enough to do the crime. Being too soft on criminals no matter what age is not helping society.
2007-12-04 11:39:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋