Jailing Juveniles

Everyday in America an Average of 7500 youth are incarcerated in jail. Nearly two thirds are minorities. With so many young people being arrested, many are placed in adult jails. Placing juveniles in jail puts them at high risk. Juveniles in jail have a greater risk of physical and sexual assault. According to U.S. department of Justice Statistics, “21%-25% of victims of inmate-on-inmate sexual violence were youth under the age of 18.” With this being recognized, some of the jails have separated juveniles from the adult population. Those youth that are not placed into adult population have the unfortunate luck to be placed into isolation. Being placed into isolation can last up to 23 hours in a cell with no day light. This can lead to or exacerbate mental disorders of anxiety and paranoia. This then explains why youth have the highest suicide rate of all inmates. Youth held in jails are 36 times more likely to commit suicide in an adult jail then in a juvenile detention facility.

Then why are juveniles placed into jails with adults? The fact is that federal and state government has inadequate resources to deal with juvenile delinquency. The laws and policies differ so much between federal and state to state. There is no real clear cut path on how to deal with juveniles.

The only real solution to this problem is to make policies and laws that are equally used throughout federal and state juvenile justice systems. The focus on youth correctional programs instead of incarceration should be implemented on a more consistent manner. These programs equip the youth to be productive, self efficient and better citizens. All the qualities to help at risk youth prepare to enter society as a law abiding citizen. A need for assistance to state and counties to comply with new requirements of in jail removal for youth. A major key to stopping dangers of incarcerating youth in adult jails is to build effective policies which direct youth into effective juvenile programs. This will place juveniles on a better path rather than placing them in danger