Juvenile Prosecution
I think it would definitely be worthwhile to revisit how juveniles are prosecuted. The biggest issue is that the adolescent brain is still developing, particularly in areas related to impulse control, decision-making, and risk assessment (Mercurio et al., 2020). This means juveniles may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions in the same way adults do, which raises ethical questions about prosecuting them as adults. Moreover, incarcerating young people in adult prisons can expose them to higher risks of violence and abuse, leading to greater psychological harm and higher recidivism rates.
Plus, the prosecution of juveniles, especially in adult courts, can have wide-ranging impacts on families and communities. The stigma of a criminal conviction can create barriers to education and employment for juveniles, which in turn can contribute to cycles of poverty and crime within communities (Harding & Harris, 2020). On top of that, racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in the prosecution of juveniles, with minority and disadvantaged youth being more likely to be tried in adult court. This systemic bias can perpetuate social inequities and tensions.
From an economic perspective, I would say it is important to consider both short-term and long-term costs. While prosecuting and incarcerating juveniles may incur immediate costs, the long-term costs can be far greater. This includes not only the cost of repeated incarceration due to high recidivism rates but also lost economic productivity from individuals who struggle to gain employment due to their criminal records. In contrast, investing in youth rehabilitative programs can have a higher upfront cost but potentially save money in the long run by reducing recidivism and promoting social reintegration.
Given these considerations, I would say we should revisit how juveniles are prosecuted. This could involve refining the criteria for transferring juveniles to adult court, investing more in rehabilitative and community-based alternatives to incarceration, and addressing systemic biases in the prosecution process. The goal should be a system that balances accountability with a recognition of the unique developmental characteristics and potential for change in young offenders.
References
Harding, D. J., & Harris, H. M. (2020).After prison: Navigating adulthood in the shadow of the
justice system. Russell Sage Foundation.
Mercurio, E., Garca-Lpez, E., Morales-Quintero, L. A., Llamas, N. E., Marinaro, J. ., &
Muoz, J. M. (2020). Adolescent brain development and progressive legal responsibility in the Latin American context.Frontiers in psychology,11, 627.
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