Essay On Juvenile Recidivism

There are a myriad of issues that create a cascade effect or a “sequence of events in which each produces the circumstances necessary for the initiation of the next” (Encyclopedia.com). By placing youth in adult facilities the court is demonstrating their belief that youth have the mental capacity and cognitive ability to understand the consequences of their actions, despite the fact that much research has concluded the opposite is true. James M. Sullivan (2014) author of From Monkey Bars to Behind Bars: Problems Associated with placing youth’s in Adult Prisons states, “Juveniles’ psychosocial immaturity , including their tendency to focus on the short-term benefits of their choices, may reduce the likelihood that they will perceive the substantial
This waiver into the adult system was designed to systematically reduce recidivism. McCloud (1995) insists, “That another model-Transformative Justice deals fully with the deep need of offenders both to assume responsibility for their crime, but also to find healing for its causes, while accepting social controls to prevent recurrence”(p.5) This model explains that controls, (i.e. Incarceration, convictions, therapy, treatment, rehabilitation) are needed to provide a safe environment, and if the social controls involve punitive action and harsh sentences, it would be explained under this model of justice. “The youth who were waived to adult court after meeting the criteria for exclusion from Juvenile court were deemed as being no longer amenable ( responsible to juvenile authority) to treatment in the Juvenile Court”(p.83). To redeem felony incarcerated youth from a life of incarceration the purpose must be to provide them with a chance to embrace change, respect laws, and employ programs designed to include victim awareness, and the education focused paradigm