Do Incarcerated Youth Get The Education They Need?

Many juveniles who entered the juvenile justice system are victims themselves of parental mistreatment such as neglect, physical, and emotional abuse. Once children into the juvenile system and is labeled a juvenile similar to adults being labeled a felon. These young offenders are stigmatized as criminal with little distinction between adults and juvenile offenders entering the prison system for the first time. Bernstein (2014) paints a vivid picture of how incarcerated juveniles expose to a new set of challenges such as posttraumatic stress syndrome, curtailed education, gang affiliation, and a gladiator mentality. These challenges that can develop in juvenile facility has

Kupchik suggests that there are three ways in which a child’s introduction to the system can take place. The first being, it is the first setting in which a “child’s deficits become apparent,” which increase their risk of school failure and incarceration (94). Secondly, he insists that students who underperform, academically, are more likely not to graduate. Thus without a basic education these underperforming students are likely to pursue illegitimate activity/careers that lead to incarceration(94). Finally, Kupchik explains that the way a school reacts to a child’s bad behavior is important. He argues that a school’s disciplinary process does not curb a student’s future involvement with the criminal justice system, but can potentially catalyze their involvement with the criminal justice system (94).

2. Kupchik suggests that there are three ways in which a child’s introduction to the system can take place. The first being, it is the first setting in which a “child’s deficits become apparent,” which increase their risk of school failure and incarceration (94). Secondly, he insists that students who underperform, academically, are more likely not to graduate. Thus, without a basic education, these underperforming students are likely to pursue illegitimate activity/careers that lead to incarceration (94). Finally, Kupchik explains that the way a school reacts to a child’s bad behavior is important. He argues that a school’s disciplinary process does not curb a student’s future involvement with the criminal justice system, but can potentially catalyze their involvement with the criminal justice system (94).

The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) began in 1992 by the Annie C. Casey Foundation with the purpose of providing alternatives to low-risk teens being placed in detention centers. Detention decisions are based on criteria standards for possible alternatives to incarceration. Data is collected to provide accurate numbers to help diagnose and provide alternative solutions to system issues. The JDAI is also actively involved in collaborating between government agencies, and policies regarding these system issues and youth reform. Incarceration options also reduce teens being placed in detention for warrants, awaiting placement and violations.

By reading this book, I learned a lot about teenagers’ critical situations at juvenile hall. This book gave me a greater insight and deeper understanding of what their lives are like and the challenges they face in this place. I also learned that the legal system is not doing a great deal to help these young kids mend their lives. They are not being offered counseling or therapy which could help facilitate a great deal of things for them such as, getting a better orientation of a path for them to follow, dealing with the excessive amount of stress they face in a healthy way

In the book “Weeping in the Playtime of Others”, author Kenneth Wooden goes into unlimited detail about the incarceration of juveniles. Not only does he discuss how the “juvenile justice system, that originated as a small community concern by people of good will, [has] created a national industry”, he also discusses the conditions in detention centers around the country where thousands of children are being held, many without fair defense or a family to support them (Wooden, p. 30). Aside from these main points, Wooden also discusses the causal explanation for juvenile delinquency with many different ideas but the main explanation he explores is the American Education System. He discusses the schools conditions, teachers and administrators,

According to the Criminal Justice Fact Sheet, the U.S. has 25 percent of the world's prisoners. Wilsons purpose for writing this article is to explain that “zero-tolerance practices of exclusionary discipline fuel school failure and push students into the justice system. Wilson did a great job explaining” (Wilson). The four steps to cut off the school-to-prison pipeline, but Wilson could have went more into detail about the fourth step which explain youth engagement because just youth telling stories

In America on any give day, approximately ten thousand juveniles are housed in adult prisons and jails. Approximately two hundred thousand juveniles enter the adult criminal justice system each year and most have non-violent crimes. Juveniles in the adult jails lose out on the educational and psychological benefits offered by juvenile detention facilities and

“Tomorrow 's future is in the hands of the youth of today” is not a particularly new sentiment. But what is new, what has become a pressing question, is what is to become of the future if our youth are behind bars instead of in schools? Youth today are being pushed into the criminal justice system at an alarming rate. This issue is known as the school to prison pipeline ─ the rapid rate at which children are pushed out of schools and into the criminal justice system. The school to prison pipeline is a term that came into use by activists in the late 1970’s and has gained recognition throughout the years as the issue became more prominent in the 1990’s. Some activists view policies meant to “correct” misbehaviors, especially in regards to Zero Tolerance policies and the policing of schools, as a major contributor to the pipeline. Others believe that the funding of schools and the education standards are to blame for the rapid increase of youth incarcerations. While the school to prison pipeline affects every student, African American students, both male and female, are more often the victim of discrimination in education. The school to prison pipeline must end, and the trend must be reversed.

Juvenile Detention Centers were created with the intention of rehabilitation. However, over time rehabilitation has been forgotten. Education is part of rehabilitation. In

Not only this but, “offenders who commit new offenses after court contact are at risk for a variety of poor developmental and life course outcomes, including school failure, out of home placements, occupational marginality, and long-term involvement in criminal activity” (Schwalbe 2004). As seen here, this is a downward spiral. Active reform has never before been at such a demand. As recidivism and juvenile delinquency continues to increase, not only will national crime rates and juvenile prison populations inflate, but the diminishing of an educated, safe, and economically stable society will also be affected regrettably. If juveniles whom continue to commit repeat criminal offenses lack school initiative, family support, and job exposure, than relatively as recidivism and juvenile criminal activity increases, our nation’s standard of living will consequently lower.

Additionally, Ameen & Lee (2010) are focused on what a juvenile is going to do after his or her detention is completed. These two researchers wanted to make it known that juveniles in detention, especially for a significant amount of time, need access to vocational training. Vocational training can aid in eliminating the down time a juvenile has. In turn, the detained juvenile is thought to have fewer violations, fewer punishments, as well as a greater chance for employment. Delinquent youth that are detained have had a disruption in the normal transition from a juvenile leading into the late teen years, and then onto adulthood. If these disruptions are not remedied, then the youth has a decreased chance of a normal life (Ameen & Lee, 2010).

The United States leads the world in the incarceration of young people, there are over 100,000 youth placed in jail each year. Locking up youth has shown very little positive impact on reducing crime. Incarcerating youth have posed greater problems such as expenses, limited education, lack of employment, and effect on juveniles’ mental and physical well-being.

In a report from Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative, Steurer, Linton, Nally and Lockwood (2010) found that 94% of state and federal inmates recognized education as the top personal reentry tool they needed before being released (p. 41). Inmates clearly understand the importance of education in their success once they are released, and it is time to provide them with the skills they need while they are incarcerated. According to Pam Levan, an adult education teacher in the Laporte County area for over twenty years, ”They [inmates] didn’t have enough basic education to know they shouldn’t do certain things that would lead them to prison, or even know the difference between right and wrong” (personal communication, December 2, 2013). Not only are inmates lacking school education resulting in a high school or college diploma, but many also lack common knowledge on what they should and should not do in society. Many inmates grew up in a family and/or neighborhood that did not teach them right from wrong but rather reinforced a life of crime. Education is the key to decreasing the cycle of crime because it allows inmates to learn from their mistakes and have a better chance at a life without crime upon their release.

The United States continues to be the leading country worldwide in youth incarceration in the world, with over 60,000 youth in detention facilities across the country (American Civil Liberties Union, 2016). Per Helgeson and Schneider, behavioral issues emerge as a result of youth feeling disconnected, and “under-valued” in their community (2015). Brennan, Barnett, and McGrath completed a study in 2009 that linked youth engagement and community activities to; improved leadership skills, problem solving skills, decision making skills, and a sense of belonging and purpose within their community (2009). “Empowering youth and allowing them the opportunity to participate in the community has shown to benefit their development greatly” (Brennan and Barnett 2009).Prevention programs that promote positive youth development, aids youth prior to criminal activity. These programs also promote involvement in education, workplace, and community as the leading progressive interventions of delinquency prevention. (Fernandes-Alcantara, 2014). This research will look to see if there is a correlation between youth arrest/criminal activity and access to/engagement in community based youth programs.