Juvenile offenders are more impressionable than adult offenders, and have longer lives ahead of them. This raises the stakes for both success and failure for both future public safety and taxpayer costs when dealing with juveniles. Sentencing youth to ineffective, inappropriate programs and facilities could place a one-time nonviolent offender on a path of persistent wrongdoing; essentially making the youth a lifetime siphon of resources rather than contributor.
Juvenile Justice
The Issue Juvenile offenders are more impressionable than adult offenders and have longer lives ahead of them. This raises the stakes for dealing with delinquent youth, as the success and failure of policies have a far-reaching effect on future public safety and taxpayer costs. Sentencing youth to ineffective, inappropriate programs and facilities could place a...