"Juveniles transferred to the adult criminal system (...) had a higher rate of recidivism. Within two years, they were more likely to reoffend, to reoffend earlier, to commit more subsequent offenses, and to commit more serious subsequent offenses than juveniles retained in the juvenile system."6 The adult system is not allowing for these juveniles to rehabilitate properly. The purpose of juveniles entering the adult court system is to lower crime rates, but the outcome is the opposite. As juvenile offenders are released from adult prisons, they are being released with new criminal skills from adults. Juvenile offenders in adult facilities hold a higher chance of recidivism. “Fifty-eight percent of juveniles waived to the adult court commit additional crimes, whereas 42 percent of juveniles who remain in the juvenile systems commit additional crimes.”7 It can be seen that public safety is at risk due to crime rates not decreasing. The juvenile system and adult system hold two different goals. The juvenile system is known to rehabilitate, meanwhile the adult system is to punish juveniles for their crimes. That is why we receive a negative outcome, such as higher crime rates because these juveniles are not thought to rehabilitate. “National studies show that juveniles who are incarcerated in adult prisons have a 500 percent higher sexual assault rate, are 200 percent more likely to be beaten by guards, and are …show more content…
The first focal point was that there is a line that divides a child from an adult, further implying that it is not the correct procedure to label them as adults. These juvenile offenders do not hold the maturity among other characteristics that proves they are less blameworthy than adults. Next, in the adult system they are being exposed to a negative environment. Due to exposure to unreasonable punishment, it generates depression among juvenile offenders. As a society we are supposed to help juveniles become a better person, not expose them to harsh conditions that do not meet their maturity capacity. Lastly, crime rates are not reducing and juveniles that are released are still likely to re-offend. Since the purpose of placing juvenile in adult systems was to reduce crime and that is not happening, then it is a major sign adult facilities are a negative source. In conclusion, I was able to prove the juvenile system has become worse by allowing juveniles to enter adult