Pubdate: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 Source: Washington Times (DC) Copyright: 2007 News World Communications, Inc. Contact: http://www.washingtontimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492 Author: Shay Bilchik Note: Shay Bilchik is a former prosecutor and administrator in the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and is now director of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform and Systems Integration at Georgetown University. WISER WAYS ON YOUTH CRIME When JamesOn Curry was drafted by the Chicago Bulls last June, some reporters called the choice risky, because of one mistake Mr. Curry made in high school. Others, though, correctly saw it as a terrific story of redemption, showing the power of giving youth who make bad mistakes a second chance. Mr. Curry was a promising North Carolina high school student whose basketball prowess secured him a college scholarship at the University of North Carolina. At age 17 he was caught selling marijuana. His scholarship vanished along with all the recruiters who had promised him the moon and the stars. He faced a future with limited prospects. But Mr. Curry pleaded for a second chance, and one institution reconsidered. Oklahoma State University accepted him and he led their team in assists for the last two years. He now plays in the NBA. Everyday you can look for and find proof that, provided the right services and support, troubled children can turn their lives around and become productive citizens. Unfortunately, far too many kids are denied the chance Mr. Curry received. On any given day, an estimated 7,500 juveniles are held in adult jails around the country. Many languish for months awaiting trial, and many receive no educational or other vital services while in jail. Placing youths in adult jails is part of a supposed "get tough" policy. The threat of facing the adult criminal justice system, they say, scares young offenders so they won't break the law again or be tempted to break the law. And being in an adult facility can keep young offenders behind bars and off the streets longer. Unfortunately, while the talk is tough, the policies do not improve public safety. A recent study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that transferring youth to the adult criminal justice system significantly increases crime. The research, from a task force consisting of juvenile justice experts from the CDC, the National Institute of Justice, Columbia University, the New Jersey Medical School and the National Institute of Mental Health is only the latest in many reports that point out the problems in "getting tough." Thirty years ago, Congress recognized the need to give youths every chance to turn their lives around. But during the 1980s and 1990s, this approach gave way to new laws that mandated putting more juveniles on trial as adults. During the 1990s, the number of youths held in adult jails across the country exploded. As a result of these laws, an estimated 200,000 youths under age 18 each year pass through the adult criminal justice system -- the majority for nonviolent offenses. The task force's basic conclusion could not be clearer: "Transferring juveniles to the adult justice system is counterproductive as a strategy for deterring subsequent violence." In fact, teenagers transferred to the adult criminal system are about a third more likely to be re-arrested for violent or other crime than youths with similar backgrounds charged with the same types of offenses who stay in the juvenile court system. Most importantly, they are denied the kinds of social services tailored to the needs of kids who need that help to become productive citizens. The research that inspired the Supreme Court to end the death penalty for minors clearly establishes that the ability of our young people to make sound, mature and responsible decisions is still developing into the early 20s. While this does not absolve them of responsibility for their actions, it certainly should influence how as a society we hold them accountable and attempt to rehabilitate them. Treating them as adult offenders should be saved for only the small fraction of those 200,000 young people who are the most serious and violent offenders. The Senate can play a pivotal role as it tackles reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. This important piece of legislation must provide young people with the help they need, not a misguided referral to an adult jail cell. Young people should not be robbed of their future. James-On Curry proved that, given a second chance, he could turn his life around. Had he been placed in an adult jail and tried in the adult criminal justice system, he would have not had that second chance. Treating youths as adult criminals is not the answer; in fact, it is part of the problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake