The article from the conversation

  • a quote that stood out to me was “Between 1985 and 2001, however, youths convicted of murder were actually more likely to enter prison with a life sentence than adults convicted of the same crime.”
  • it is good that the goal for juvenile court has shifted from punishment to rehabilitation. and although the reasoning of adolescents brains being not fully developed makes it justified, I believe that all incarceration should be based on rehabilitation not punishment. It is sad to see that we are still in a system that has given up on such a large population.

RVA. gov

  • It is great to see alternatives like this within the juvenile system, and for me, living in Arkansas there is no access to good rehabilitation services, and even worse the majority of our locality do not support it, and consider it “being soft on crime”
  • Obviously, I am aware though that most programs or anything that is advertised is never as successful and transparent as it claims to be. I would like to continue to learn more about this program and see the effects it has had on the community.

Video, Inside Juvenile Detention

  • It was nice to see inside of Bon air, and see what the director would like to do with renovations, and creating a new facility centered on the east side of the state
  • I liked hearing about RISE YOUTH’s advocacy, and the discussion about how change must happen from the child and their family, especially the environment and community they come from.

 

Question: Has trauma focused therapy had positive impacts on the lives and actions of juveniles facing incarceration?

How can we advocate for change within the system in southern states?