College in Prisons/ Youth in Jail

Studies have shown that from a rehabilitation perspective colleges in prisons are a very affective way to reduce recidivism. However another perspective is that prisoners are there to be punished and not necessarily rehabilitated. Victims of crime seek retribution and may be upset to learn that prisoners are receiving things such as a college education. I feel that although prison education seems to be a successful idea to fighting crime the government fails to address college to many other citizens that do not have a criminal background. What about the working class citizens who may not be able to afford college and have a family to raise? I think college in prison is great idea but I just feel that the government has many other issues that have been undressed and take priority. There are a lot of honest, hard working citizens that need government assistance but because of such a tight government budget are being denied. However on the other hand Ross (2003), explains that not all prisoners are there for the right reasons. Some are in prison because they are homeless, some have drug addictions and need help, and some inmates are mentally insane and have been misplaced in prison instead.



This story was extremely disturbing. Unfortunately something like this could become a reality to a juvenile delinquent if there is abuse of power in the criminal justice system by personnel. The movie “Sleepers” was another movie that depicted the sexual abuse and harsh treatment of a group of young boys. These boys caused the death of a vendor by accident and because of the sexual abuse they received by their correctional officer (Kevin Bacon) some of these youth turned into stone cold killers. Ross (2003) states that juveniles who are put in jails are being put in a extremely dangerous environment. The focus for the criminal justice system towards youth should be of rehabilitation not extreme punishment. Adult jail is very basic and does not have programs or forms of treatments for offenders. It only serves to hold people who are awaiting trials and also for prison overcrowding. Holding juveniles in cells can be emotionally and physically dangerous from fellow inmates and officers alike. Also long periods of solitary confinement can be extremely detrimental to a child. Juveniles are shown to have the best chance of recidivism and sometimes commit crimes because of abusive parents, traumatic childhoods, or they may be going through a stage in their lives where they are making some bad choices. Jails should not be a place where juveniles are put because the youth facilities feel there is no other place to put them.