Putting Teens in Jail

Introduction

In the past there was no difference between adult criminals and juvenile criminals. Whenever the arrest of a juvenile takes place then there are a number of factors that may influence the activities of trial, sentencing, arrest and rehabilitation. Gone are the days when the all the criminals used to be treated as adults no matter what crime they have committed, to which gender they belong to and of what age they are. There was no difference between the juvenile criminal and an adult criminal. With the passage of time the justice system has realized that these two groups are needed to be separated and should be treated in different ways. This gives rise to a number of issues that are debatable. One such issue is related to the putting teenagers into jail. Many people argue that putting teenagers in jail for small and non violent act can ruin their future.

Discussion

The similarity between the two systems of juvenile justice system and adult justice system is that during proceedings of the court the offender possesses the right to counsel whether the offender is juvenile or adult. Through counseling a teenager can be kept calm and must be treated properly so that it would not cause any affect on the well being of the teenagers so when they return to society they should be able to adjust as they were once the part of it. Another reason on the basis of which it can be said that putting teenagers in jail would not ruin the future is the crime for which to punishment is to be given in the jail. In both the systems of justice, that is the adult justice system and the juvenile justice system is that the offender of any serious and severe crime gets punishment. The severity of the punishment may differ in two systems but it still it exist in both the justice systems. However, in the juvenile justice system punishment is considered and used when it is the last resort. So, when it is a last resort then this must be given to the teenagers when everything is tried on them. If a teenager does not improve his or her behavior after the small punishments then this teenager does not have a future so there is no discussion left to talk about the securing the future of that teenager. The teenager who does not improve his or her conduct after small punishments then this teenager would be dangerous for rest of the teenager in the society. When this teenager would allow going back to society to improve and work on his or her future then this teenager may also influence other teenagers to indulge in criminal activities.

Another factor on which it can be proved that putting teenagers into jail would not ruin their future is the factor of availability of parole. Both the juvenile and adult criminals are keeping under parole. This means that both type of the offenders paroled on the ...