Dealing with youth offenders

It costs the US government billions of dollars every year to lock up youth offenders in juvenile prisons. People were asked about what the best way to deal with them is.

Kirk: I think the courts are too lenient with juvenile offenders. In spite of the huge costs, they should be incarcerated if they are convicted of serious offences. The cost implications of locking up juveniles who break the law shouldn’t be a consideration for judges, whose job it is to apply the law. Justice must always be done, and the punishment should fit the crime.

Zoe: Making mistakes is part of being young. I think juvenile offenders need to stay away from people who are bad influences. So putting them behind bars is a bad idea. The statistics show that juveniles who serve prison sentences are more likely to reoffend when they come home.

Rodrigo: Surely it would be better to rehabilitate youth offenders in their communities. Then they could earn society’s trust, and learn to become law-abiding citizens. However, I think prison is the right place for offenders of all ages who commit the most serious crimes.

Jenny: I was assaulted by a teenager when I was in college. It was a terrible experience, but the offender was never sent to prison. So I feel sickened when I read about youth offenders walking free from court with a supervision order. It does nothing to change their behavior. They need harsh punishment to make them change their ways, otherwise they will lead a life of crime.