A colleague, Kelley Jura-Myrick, wrote a very interesting blog article titled "Certified or Rehabilitated." It's about juvenile individuals that are entered in to the penal system. Some are offered a chance to be sent to a juvenile institution which allows them to be housed with individuals of their own age, and ultimately a chance at getting their life put together and one day be released as a grown adult -- a sort of second chance. However, others may be certified. This means that a judge has ruled that the individual will be tried as an adult rather than the juvenile that they are. A child, as young as 14 years of age, may be tried as an adult and ultimately sentenced to stay in prison with adults.
After reading the stats that Kelley brought to our attention in regards to the likelihood of a certified juvenile committing suicide or being abused by their fellow inmates, I took the time to dig a bit deeper. I came across various articles with further information on the treatment juveniles experience when sent to an adult prison. It quite literally almost brought me to tears. I understand that these crimes may be horrible, but think about the child's background. Have they had the proper chance at a life? Put them in a different environment. Provide them the proper education. If given a second chance, I'm sure that many of the kids can turn their life around for the better.
I don't know if I'm just soft hearted or even naive, but I generally believe the best in everyone, especially when it comes to our younger generation. It's the environment they grow up in, the people that surround them, their general lifestyle they come to know that generally leads them in to a path of destruction If given the opportunity to learn that there is more to life, something better... They are still young enough to turn their life around and learn from their mistakes.
"TDCJ needs to develop a standard procedure for dealing with the worst and most violent offenders vs. the ones who can be rehabilitated if given the opportunity."
Great point Kelley!
