The juvenile offender -- rehabilitation vs. incarceration

There has been long debate on how the criminal justice system should deal with juvenile offenders when it comes to rehabilitation compared to punishment. We are one of the few countries in the world which certifies 13- and 14-year-old children as adults and tries them in adult court.

We have juvenile detention centers, and many juvenile rehabilitation programs around the country. One of the key differences in the punishment method is who is doing the punishment and for what reason.

When a parent punishes their child for doing something wrong, they do it as an act of concern and love for the child. Although it is not always the case, arguments can be made that many troubled teens develop problems at an early age because that show of concern and love (even in the form of punishment) is not present.

When a juvenile becomes a problem to the community because of law violations and the state must get involved, the method of punishment may not have the same effect because the values behind the punishment are no longer present. That is not to say that punishment in general will not work or is not needed with troubled juveniles, but I think the emphasis on some kind of structured rehabilitation program is even more critical at that age than with adult offenders.

I noticed a long time ago that many people who have developed a lifelong pattern of being in and out of jail, said their problems started as a child. In some cases, it was with drug use, theft, or some type of abuse, that led them down that path. If a correction can be made, earlier is always better.

Last year we worked multiple cases involving juveniles and violent crimes, drugs, and theft. We worked cases where juveniles shot at each other, stole from their caregivers and it is becoming more common for juvenile's names to come up during drug investigations. Someone once said, "I think it's important for us as a society to remember that the youth within juvenile justice systems are, most of the time, youths who simply haven't had the right mentors and supporters around them -- because of circumstances beyond their control."

Community programs, including those in school and after school, community center and community events that provide some type of structured and healthy environment for children, is one of the best ways the community helps keep juveniles from becoming juvenile offenders.

In the end, nothing can control the actions of a person but the person, and sadly there will always be cases where a crime may be so horrible that there is no answer to rehabilitation and all that can be done is keep an offender away from the public to avoid such a crime happening again; but if there is a time and place to get involved and give back to the community, it is with the children around us. Helping to set good examples, supporting, and letting them know that someone does care what is going on in their lives.