Scared Straight

Todays youth at a glance is becoming more troubling by the day as social media trends such as the “Knockout Game”, schoolyard fights, along with sprees of theft and even in some cases acts of murder. We are living in a time where the parental relationships with children are at a state of degeneration, as many kids within different demo-graphs are high risk to be involved with these activities and in most cases dire outcomes. Numerous cases of theft, violence, and general delinquency are becoming top tier phenomenon’s, as general delinquency mode of operation for this adolescent generation.

As we make an analysis of this ordeal as a whole, one would find that there are many factors that can be said to be the common denominator in its contribution to so many misguided children and young adults. We are moving out an age where child and parental communication is being hindered as the general family structures of todays home are growing into a state of total degeneracy. Many children and teens often grow up in single parent homes and are exposed to inconsistencies in discipline, physical, verbal and substance substance abuse only to go to a school to interact with a social group that thrives in these themes in a more concentrated manner.

Interestingly enough, the effect of these causes tends to end in outcomes that can’t be redeemed lightly from as many kids, undergo long-term sentences in juvenile detention. Other obstacles such as teens and young adults being killed in violence are tried as adults, thus losing their lives and chances for redemption. Fortunately there has been a new procedure being implemented as many at risk kids are being put into juvenile detention center for a short term, as an attempt to scare them straight and apply correct disciplinary acts in order for those misguided young men and woman to learn morals and values while being rehabilitated.

This application creates an opportunity for either a conclusion of growth and development ending and allows for the delinquent to change, or another chance for said individuals go deeper into the darker waters of self-destruction and end up being incarcerated. Which of the latter are the best for our troubled youth?

During my time spent at Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, I was able to look into the situations of the teens first hand as I was exposed to their living conditions, social structures along with the forms of disciplinary procedures applied. In regards to the rise of teenage violence and gang activity, I was revealed as to how their criminal social groups were handled as they were separated by what gang or group affiliation they claimed. In my opinion, this seemed like a paradox, when one could consider that breaking those criminal ties and affiliation would be the best approach, but since many of these offenders were sentenced for act of violence, this application could possibly cause udder chaos as it could spark confrontation amongst them. If that were to occur however the main disciplinary implementations would be to have time spent with “Security”. This is basically like solitary confinement where they are locked in a cell with out the privilege of recreation, and social interaction for a predetermined time.

Aside from the application of “corporal” punishment, the best procedure offered for the youths is truly the time they are given to speak with counselors. From my findings, majority of juvenile young adults are the product of socially misshapen homes along with abuse and neglect. Many teens get caught up in delinquency as a result of not getting attention, support or necessities from their parents, and because individuals tend to socialize with those of the same background, its becomes a trap of peer pressure, misguided anger and trouble for these teens.

If we were to consider the many cases of child delinquency, it would become apparent that each case generally has different variables as to why children live lives in and out of disciplinary systems. The other part of the equation that follows is the different types of disciplinary applications that should be applied to certain individuals based on their offence and personal needs. Today there are many shows depicting this process and what’s interesting and yet powerful is that it informs parents and other children of the stories and tribulations they’ve experienced or perhaps could experience, allowing for parents and teens to look at their stories as a means of preventative research.

There is a program that airs on MTV called, “Juvies”, that broadcast’s the implementation of juvenile detention centers and depicts different applications, stories and cases regarding youths that end up in these disciplinary establishments. The series opens up introducing the young offenders while giving the viewer a brief back-story of how they ended up there. And as the show develops, the audience is able to be brought into their world and see the circumstances that pushed them to the decisions they made to get them there. One case that was presented was a young male by the name of Javier, who had frequent run in's with breaking and entering, an offense that would get an adult tried as a felon. His story opens up showing a reenactment of him and an associate driving around casing house in order to break into them with the intent of robbery. What interesting is that his friend owns the car they are driving and was the one who ultimately initiated his participation of the crime.

This situation is a commonality that juvenile defenders as many of them grow up in homes without parental guidance and leadership, thus making them susceptible for negative influences based on many adolescents need to fit in or seeking approval from those they look up to. Another interesting key point is that Javier’s parents moved him to the United States from Mexico to make a better life and get an education, which is a great thing to want from your parents, however his situation also left room for him to miss out on the structure, discipline and attention needed to grow into a responsible and successful adult.

Alongside Javier, another teen by the name of Steve, gained reputation as an outstanding student athlete fell into trouble with a night of drinking. As this story and interaction with the other inmates developed, he was questioned from them as to why he would participate in such activity as he could potentially destroy his chances of making starting college career in football as a student athlete. In most cases, many juvenile delinquents don’t have any tangible opportunities going for them, and many of their crimes are an effect of a cause riddled in poverty and misdirection, and many of them were disgusted and even carried attitudes of concern as they chastised him for not taking advantage of the opportunity he was granted than many of them weren’t blessed to receive.

Later during the episode, Javier is visited by his parent both whom traveled from Mexico to check on him. As Javier was introduced, his attitude could be said to have been nonchalant. After the guilt of seeing his parents seeing him in pain, along with the threat of him potentially losing his adolescent freedom, the audience was able to see a definite attitude change along with a glimmer of light that could possibly lead him to redemption.

Steve however, was shown to be a multiple offender and from observing his backstory, it was apparent he was greatly “victimized” by that of peer pressure; common element adolescent teens go through in order to prove themselves socially. His demeanor during the court hearing didn’t seem as authentic as Javier, although his parental support may have been the key factor that kept him from serving a full term of juvenile detention. Fortunate for Steve, his potential to be a college athlete may be the key factor in him getting his behavior under control.

As the episode closed, it was presented that both Javier and Steve were permitted with level two house arrest and only serve a small some of days rather than a more heavy-handed sentence. From the information gathered it and situations observed, one could see the benefit of Juvenile detention and the pressure and opportunity it presents to troubled youth as the age old saying goes, “Prevention is more effective than remedy”, in which incarceration would most definitely be a diagnosis harder to cure.

When one begins examine the statistics of temporary juvenile incarceration VS long term, there are many factors that come into play in regards to stature of offenses, percentage of the type of crimes along with the statistic of said individuals becoming repeat offenders. Understanding the juvenile detention centers are just one option in the list of delinquent preventative measures, the end result of this particular application can vary in results.
What’s frightening for parents is the fact that as judicial practices are curbed for the current trends and volume of criminal offenses, many states are beginning to try more youths as adults however according to National Criminal Justice Reference Service statistics report, “ U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 72,894,500 persons in the United States were under the age of 18, the age group commonly referred to as a juvenile.”
It was also projected that between the periods of the latter of 2000 leading into 2025, the percentage of delinquent offenders will increase by 14%. Generally, as the numbers of juvenile offenses increase, the space to detain the offenders along with judicial leniency decreases.

It was reported, “Many juvenile offenders are in facilities that have more residents than standard beds”, and with many of the inmates forced to be moved into private locations where security and disciplinary control becomes more complicated. Now how do these numbers affect the overall experience and application of each inmate? These conditions at a glance can be seen to be a degenerative process for the young adults as their structure of discipline is hindered and it becomes even more difficult to give them the rehabilitative discipline they need.
An article posted by “FindLaw” presents this supporting statement as to how detrimental these conditions can be. “Juvenile detention facilities are often run much like a regular prison or jail, with strict schedules, codes of expected behavior, and punishment for misbehavior” and further for “the purpose of placing juvenile offenders in separate facilities from adult criminals is to insulate juveniles from “bad influences,” to protect them, and to attempt to curb criminal tendencies before adulthood is reached.” After examining these statistics, it becomes quiet obvious that an overflow of inmates equals a deterioration of hands on guidance in rehabilitation and peer influence. It would seem that the opportunity for long-term incarceration escalates ate a rate parallel to the amount of time the behavior was left unchecked. It allows more opportunity for worse influences due to the quality of attention able to be given based on the volume of teens incarcerated each year as reported, “One-quarter of juveniles who offended at ages 16–17 also offended as adults at ages 18–19”. Fortunately, it is reported that there is a light at the end of this tunnel of darkness. According to the US department of Justice, many juvenile offenders don’t carry on with their criminal activities as they come into adulthood.

Understanding both the causes and effects of these outcomes at their root, it would appear that the application of any term of juvenile detention increases the rate of success in deterring repeat offenders. When the causes of the child’s offenses go into question, it one could see how opportunity and structure can affect these troubled teens. Juvenile detention centers aren’t the perfect means to remedy the criminal trend of today’s teenage generation, but with the right time, care and persistence many more could be saved than lost.