Whether or not we should imprison minors

[eschemat]

In Canada, we have a law called the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The gist of it is that they should focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society and so minors should never be imprisoned because it would be detrimental to their rehabilitation. Here's the wiki article for it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_Criminal_Justice_Act

So what are your thoughts on imprisoning minors?

 

[Dragoon Fighter]

If they no right and wrong and they do the crime they should do the time. However my opinion may not count because my mom works for CPS and formally APS. So I have a really bias opinion and a very cynical attitude towards people.

 

[TheOriginalSmasher]

Define, "imprisoned". Meaning, straight up Prison, or could it be like, Juevinale hall? (terrible spelling, I apologize, im tired)

 

[GoldShadow]

Another useful thing to look at might be rehabilitation rates for offenders vs the number that go on to commit crimes again, for both the imprisoned/non-imprisoned groups. In other words, how successful are rehab programs? Are they worth the trouble of supporting?

 

[spookyskeptic]

I think rehabilitation and reintegration should be the focus for both minors and adults, but since we're discussing minors, I'll stay on topic.

I think that we have to look at the specific minor. Did they know what they did was wrong? Were they manipulated into it by someone else? I don't mean peer pressure, either, but did an adult put them up to it? To expand that, do they know right from wrong, but their ideas of it were warped by abuse and other factors? That's were counseling would come in. Those are questions that have to be answered.

Once those questions are answered, we have to remember that most minors are going to be first time offenders. As a society, we have to make sure that kids have a chance to become productive. Not every kid that commits a crime, even violent ones, is going to become a hardened career criminal. Then again, many people who do become just that had all ready done stuff as a minor that should have had them permanently out of society. In cases like that, it's the needs of that one kid versus the needs of society.

As to what to do with the minor, answering the above questions is the first step. Many kids can be saved and I don't think that putting them in jail helps anyone, but "Scared Straight" types of programs can be effective.

 

[Crazy Cloud]

Let me start off by apologizing if my examples offend anyone.

I think it depends on the age of the minor, as well as the crime. Take this as an example; There's is a six year old and a sixteen year old. Both of them are males, and rob a convenience store at gunpoint.

I'd say there's a good chance that the six year old is just acting something out that he saw in a movie. There's a very low chance that the kid decided on his own that he's going to rob a store. Young kids are impressionable, but they're too young to be corrupted by things like drugs, and violence. Certainly not sex. I may be giving the six year old too much slack, but I honestly couldn't see what motive a six year old could have. They're more likely to steal, than rob a store.

The sixteen year old on the other hand, could have many reasons why he could be robbing this store. From a scientific standpoint, a sixteen year old should be close to exiting puberty, if they haven't already. So there's plenty of possible motives. Sex, Drugs, Status, Gambling, Debts. All probable motives for the sixteen year old.

Robbery isn't as serious as something as murder (or it's many variations), but it's the best example I can give of age leading to motive. I think if you're at the age that you can have petty motives such as the ones mentioned, then you should be responsible for your actions. The six year old, I think should have a psychological diagnosis to see if there's any underlying mental illness. As far as the sixteen year old is concerned, I believe that they should be sent to a rehabilitation program, and then a halfway house. Make them learn a lesson about the path they're taking.

However in my opinion, something such as murder isn't excusable. Assuming they were found guilty in court; If the six year old committed a murder, he definitely needs a therapist, a psych evaluation, and be put into a better home. Obviously the parents are doing a very poor job with the child if something like that happens. Whether it's poor parenting, or it's a mental disorder, obviously it was more than they could handle. The sixteen year old, psych evaluation, therapist, put them in a new home, and put them on parole for five to ten years.

 

[eschemat]

If they no right and wrong and they do the crime they should do the time. However my opinion may not count because my mom works for CPS and formally APS. So I have a really bias opinion and a very cynical attitude towards people.

Exactly! It keeps our society safe. Needs of the many compared to the needs of few.

@TOS: Jail time.

@GS: Trouble is, even if these Rehab centres are effective... it's more effective to deter the child from doing the crime by giving the consequence they deserve.

@Spookyskeptic: Hmm. that's interesting, but we have to look at the deterrence that this gives to children but at the same time also the safety of society. I wouldn't feel safe with that child out and about.

@CC: Problem is, either way, taking them out of society will always remove the environment where all of these pressures exist and thus it works to rehabilitate them with no risk at all.

 

[Sucumbio]

lol "@ SS" got censored.

 

[spookyskeptic]

I'm a censor bypass, lol.

I agree, eschemat. I don't think I made clear that the safety of society should be paramount, but putting a minor in an adult prison isn't ideal. Juvenile detention centers aren't much better, granted, but it's definitely preferable to putting them in with guys who are either going to take advantage of them or just get them even better connected with things like gang activity. That's why, I think, that an effective first step is a psychological evaluation. Again, though, protecting society at large is key.

 

[#HBC | Dark Horse]

For me, if the person committed an adult crime, they should be punished like one.

/myfivecents