Children in Prison
by I wrote this article to expose the treatment of children in the injustice system. I can not see a child getting sentenced as an adult and going to an adult prison. I can see life in prison and transferring the adult to an adult prison. I do feel that life without parole is wrong because the child may grow up to be a different person.
A Latino child imprisoned since he was thirteen years old. (He is now twenty three.) He got twenty years for robbery (eight dollars) and nine years for rape. The DNA evidence from the rape showed he did not do it. The victim said he did not do it. She was mentally challenged and on the stand the prosecutor got her to change her story. The prime witness was the person who committed the crime and who was white. (I think he is out now. I cannot find him on the prisoner locator. I am trying to find out if he was paroled or cleared.)
One young man has been in jail since he was 13. As of the time I wrote this he is awaiting trial for murder in an adult jail. His Uncle was high on drugs and was trying to kill him. After the uncle picked up the TV and threw it at the child, he grabbed a knife and stabbed his uncle.
I guess in Florida a child does not have the right to defend themselves against an adult. They are supposed to take their punishment even if they did not do anything wrong and even if the punishment is death.
There is a young man on death row that was seventeen years old when he was arrested for a murder he did not commit. He has given up on proving his innocence and is fighting the death penalty for those under eighteen. There are not enough countries that kill those who where under eighteen at the time of the crime to count on one hand.
Children are not adults. Their minds are not as developed as the adult mind. True the system may be too easy on juvenile offenders. No child should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. No child should be put in an adult prison in isolation or in the general population.
If tried as an adult the child should be sent to a youth facility until they are twenty one and at twenty one there should be a parole hearing. The parole board should be staffed with psychologists and experts in the field of child development. If parole is denied they could then be sent to an adult facility and have periodic parole hearings.
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Post CommentJeff
On January 6, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I would suggest that you talk to the parents/friends of someone killed by what you call a child.
Is someone killed by a child any less dead than someone killed by an adult?
It is sad when kids go bad, but why should innocent kids (&adults) have to worry about child killers roaming the street because people like you don’t see the danger they are to society.
Lee Gaylord
On January 7, 2009 at 10:04 am
I agree that they should not be let out as long as they are a threat to society. The problem with or parole system is that they let out the ones they know will come back.
I read a book called 99 years plus life. It was written by a guy who spent a lot of years in prison. He was paroled and because of his writing.
He said that all sentences for violent crimes should be 1 year to life. I do think the 1 year should be adjusted to fit the crime but the to life I agree with.
I feel that their should be changes in the parole boards so that they know what they are doing.
Mike
On January 9, 2009 at 10:23 pm
The only people that should be in jail are people that are a danger to people… Murder, rape, assault, etc.
Drug dealers, traffic offenders, etc. should be working on the side of the road.