Posted by AuntieMel on March 3, 2006, at 9:40:18
In reply to Juvenile Justice?, posted by Racer on March 1, 2006, at 17:04:15
People see juveniles committing crimes and get scared. And people don't understand juveniles who commit crimes or how they could come to such a state that they become violent.
The natural inclination is to draw away from things we are afraid of and things we don't understand.
The same is probably true of those who are mentally ill and commit crimes, and the more horrific the crime the more we are afraid.
But you can not convince me, no way, no how that there is a kid, no matter what he's done, who can not be salvaged.
The whole juvenile justice system stinks. Kids who become violent need help, not punishment. They should be separated from "civilized" society, sure, to protect others, but rehabilitation should be the goal and it should be aggressively persued.
The kids should get very intensive counseling, the best education their minds are cabable of absorbing and (somehow!) exposure to love and caring.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:614721
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060204/msgs/615373.html