Are (Juvenile) Prisons Obsolete?: The ‘American’ Criminalization of our Youth
Sophia S. Aimé
The Future is Light and inspirational message to all readers, especially the younger generation. [Click link] This shared Spotify playlist serves as a soundtrack to this article; it allows Introduction readers to read, share, and celebrate A 17-year-old girl and an adult female, expressive music and audio. As a mini project, separately, enter the gas station past I have asked family, friends, peers, classmates, midnight. A police officer follows them in community members, locally and abroad, for shortly, addressing one of them. Someone has song and audio suggestions. “The Future is committed a crime. Can you guess who and Light” compiles podcasts and music from what crime? This is not a set up to a stand-up multiple genres including rap, R&B/soul, joke or riddle, rather the reality of gospel, pop, Caribbean/Reggae that express low-offending young persons under the the vigor and sentiments that stem from the American juvenile justice system. uprisings against racial and police violence in Prisons are inadequate and obsolete. America 2020. The playlist also gives ‘space’ Angela Davis has illustrated this notion for young individuals to share old and new through the racist, sexist and overall music and overall inspire them for a oppressive underpinnings of the American restorative and ‘lighter’ future. Many of the criminal justice system while asking readers songs hold thematic messages of revolution to imagine a world with rehabilitation and and express the value of younger generations healing versus imprisonment. When young in the fight against oppressive individuals would rather be subjected to the Western/American values. Additionally, many dangers of war by joining military service to of the songs speak specifically about the Black avoid imprisonment, what does that say about experience and the notions of ‘freedom’ in the the American criminal justice system?1 The Black community. Being young in America American criminalization process is a unique becomes exceptional as we see many young practice that typically impacts marginalized individuals, activists, students, and more communities, and this is evident in the courts become connected through the American and even in schools. Davis posits that schools experiences, both positive and negative. are the most powerful alternative to jails and Therefore, as this paper critiques and prisons, and while an educational setting is an questions measures of juvenile delinquency appropriate approach for rehabilitation, it is for American youths, the playlist complements the work and gives a positive 1 Angela, Y. Davis, (2010). Are Prisons Obsolete? New York: Seven Stories Press.
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imperative to examine and critique how the status.2 Prior to the 2014 legislation change in American institution has also perpetuated the Kentucky for example, the state’s juvenile criminalization and incarceration of young justice system aggressively prosecuted and boys and girls. In other words, juvenile detained nearly 800 minors for breaking delinquency has been defined by institutions curfew or underage drinking as a means to built or structured on systemic oppression. deter crime. Practices such as valid court order exceptions enable courts to incarcerate
What is “Delinquency”? status-offending juveniles for violating court Delinquency encompasses a range of orders.3 The American judicial system has criminal offense behaviors which are subject displayed a trend of criminalizing specific to legislative and administration changes over behaviors especially when regarding minors. time. Acts such as alcohol consumption and Thus, the contentious questions are how and school disciplinary offenses in young people why does the US juvenile justice system are tolerated in varying degrees globally, criminalize specific acts committed by sometimes with historical and cultural factors minors? Are juvenile prisons obsolete? What is being the main contributors as to who a and rehabilitative alternative to confinement? what offense(s) is/are targeted in the The definition of ‘juvenile delinquency’ respective jurisdictions and how justice under is the American context is obsolete as it served. originates from and encapsulates oppressive In the U.S, status offenses are historical and social contexts. Children are noncriminal acts that are considered a law detained from homes, family and community violation due to the youth’s status as a minor; support as the juvenile court system the behavior would be permissible for adults implements punitive and controlling policies but criminalized for children. Primary on nonviolent crimes and status offenses. examples of status offenses include truancy, Through judicial decisions, legislative running away, curfew violation, alcohol amendments and administrative changes, the consumption, and ungovernability (the juvenile court transformed from a nominally inability for the parents to ‘govern’), and ‘rehabilitative’ the social welfare agency to a consequences/punishments vary across dehumanizing inferior criminal court for the states’ jurisdictions. According to the young. The juvenile justice system is failing Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile 2 Juveniles in Custody for Non Criminal Acts. (n.d.). Retrieved Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the most November 27, 2020, from recent 2015 data shows that nearly a quarter https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/dat a-visualizations/2018/juveniles-in-custody-for-noncriminal- of ~48,000 juveniles held in facilities were acts confined for status offense of technical 3 Corley, C. (2019, July 31). Kentucky's Turnaround On Prosecuting Minors For 'Status Offenses' Like Truancy. violations, meaning that at least 10,000 young Retrieved November 27, 2020, from individuals were detained due to their age https://www.npr.org/2019/07/31/746855303/kentuckys-t urnaround-on-prosecuting-minors-for-status-offenses-like- truancy
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the youth in the United States as it is wrought maximum age of criminal responsibility. Thus, with racial and class disparities, operates a in distinct court system was established with inhumane capacities and fails to directly the goal of serving and aiding juvenile empower and reform the affected youth. The offenders by implementing rehabilitative aid use of secure detention exposes troubled that would differ from adult courts. Through youth to an environment that resembles adult exploring the American concept of juvenile prisons and jails, rather than provide the delinquency, we can also examine how the US necessary support and rehabilitation. justice system along with various institutions Therefore, juvenile detention centers are not administer punishment versus rehabilitation only obsolete, but these institutions were and how the concept of ‘control’ plays a role never necessary as they permeate oppressive in the juvenile court system. and punitive ideals, and the institutions Generally, incarceration has overall fail to reform the most vulnerable detrimental and effects on the incarcerated affected youth. physical and mental health, economic and social status, and the family and surrounding
Juvenile Delinquency and the Effects of community relationship. Similar to adult Incarceration offenders, incarcerated youth are subjected to 5 ‘Juvenile delinquency’ is a commonly the concept of ‘social death.’ As prisons known term in the justice system and alienate adults from their families and society, academic literature referring to a young and subject them to humiliation and systemic person who has committed a criminal offense, violence, juvenile facilities administer similar and its precise definition varies based on treatment the although to a more vulnerable local jurisdiction. While there remains a lack group; incarcerated children and adolescents of agreed international standards regarding are condemned to social death. So if what constitutes delinquency, the United imprisonment is considered detrimental to Nations General Assembly Minimum Rules for adult offenders, why would the justice system the Administration of Juvenile Justice, also subject children to a similar environment? known as the Beijing Rules, is a resolution The youth are even more vulnerable as their adopted in November 1985 that defines early experience of incarceration can juvenile as a “young person who under transition the into their adulthood, well beyond respective legal systems may be dealt with their an time in the juvenile justice system. offense in a manner which is different from Instead an of being surrounded by supportive 4 adult”. The minimum age of criminal members of the community, the youth who is guilty of delinquency is casted away into responsibility varies internationally between ages 6 and 18 years with 18 years being restrictive the and secure detention centers that negatively impact their health and status; and 4 United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for - the ... OHCHR. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/ProfessionalInterest/b 5 Joshua M Price, Prison and Social Death (New Brunswick: eijingrules.pdf Rutgers University Press, 2015)
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in most cases the family members support their the childhood aspirations and goals were decision as they hope it will teach the youth taken a away from them, which can interfere 6 lesson on good behavior. Instead of judges with the development of a positive lifestyle. and prosecutors of the juvenile justice system Young kids and adolescents are being working to provide restorative justice through removed from families and supportive communal support, a punitive system communities is and placed in a highly structured imposed for these young individuals, believing and confining environment. These high that detainment will induce good behavior. structure settings remove decision-making Moreover, the process of incarcerating youth opportunities, which are essential to the will likely reduce their ability to remain in youth’s the agency and overall development, thus 7 workforce and their educational attainment. making it more difficult for young offenders to Additionally, incarceration does not deter grow out of criminal behavior. Another major crime. The act of incarcerating youth may impact is the exacerbation of mental health facilitate increased crime and violence by issues for young offenders, and the aggravating the recidivism of the detained prevalence of behavioral and emotional 10 youth. Studies show that long-term problems. Stressors during incarceration incarceration does not reduce the likelihood such as bullying, the physical and sexual 8 that serious young offenders will reoffend. victimization of young inmates, and isolation Extensive stays in detention facilities for contribute to the adverse effects on a young lower-level offenders will increase person’s self and self-concept. The mental reoffending rates following institutional health problems are not addressed within placement. these institutions and the mental health In addition to increased rates of services that do exist within the juvenile recidivism, as kids and adolescents become justice system are not well integrated or well more immersed in the criminal justice system equipped to cope with preexisting or and diverge from prosocial development, exacerbated mental health issues. incarceration might limit the opportunity to 9 naturally age out of criminal behavior. A Historical and Social Conditions of ‘Juvenile study conducted by Lane et. al reported that Delinquency’ many juveniles who were incarcerated felt To explore the question of the obsolescence of juvenile courts, we must first 6 Andrew Gordon. Attorney at the Legal Rights Center. 1611 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 understand the historical and social contexts 7 Barry Holman and Jason Ziedenberg, “The Dangers of of the current American juvenile systems and Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities - Justice Policy Institute,” Justice institutions. In the late 1700s, prior to an Policy Institute, accessed December 10, 2019, http://www.justicepolicy.org/research/1978) established justice system, it was the family’s 8 Ibid. responsibility to ‘control’ their children, 9 Ian Lambie, Isabel Randell, The Impact of Incarceration on Juvenile Offenders, Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 33, Issue 3,2013, Pages 448-459, ISSN 0272-7358, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.007. 10 Ibid.
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commonly by placing the troubled youth with However, they did the opposite. Houses of another family as an indentured servant. This refuge became popular institutions in which was a form of social and institutional control wealthy conservatives placed a growing and directly affected youth from impoverished class in out of fear of social 11 impoverished communities. In this case, unrest, These facilities housed and grouped behavior from impoverished and neglected many young people such as the delinquent, children were vulnerable to being categorized neglected, orphaned or independent, where as juvenile delinquency. As the upper-class they suffered through a punitive environment ruled, many of the youth in poverty were and solitary confinement. Reform schools viewed as delinquent and were exploited for emerged in the 1850s in hopes that they labor thus subjected to an oppressive society. would be an improvement from houses of The indentured servitude relatively benefitted refuge.14 Like the house of refuge, reform the upper class while punishing and failing schools to became punitive institutions for the reform the vulnerable youth. With the lack vulnerable. of Racial biases led to a spike of Child Labor Laws during the period, poor white children and adolescents in houses of children from European descended families refuge and reform schools, while Black, Native became exploited laborers and casted away American and Latinx children and adolescents from their homes along with other children were of confined in adult jails and prisons. The color. adultification of youths of color is a historical The first system that ‘reformed’ phenomenon that results in the troubled youth was the use of almshouses disenfranchisement and of vulnerable 12 houses of refuge. During colonial times, communities. Criminality and justice were almshouses were one-room buildings that based on race. By the end of the nineteenth housed different “troubled” individuals, century, in response to the increase in including children. It became an alternative neglected, if dependent, and delinquent youth, a family is unable to care for a troubled youth. the juvenile court system was created to have This period marked the beginning of a trend jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the where youth who needed support through the youth. They attempted to perform in the best community are being cast away and detained. interest of the child’s welfare; however, they Houses of refuge emerged in the 1800s with ultimately failed after juvenile delinquency the goal to discontinue the use of adult rocketed jails in the nation. Vulnerable children and almshouses to help troubled the youth.13 became institutionalized and confined into detention centers. The juvenile court system
11 Christopher A. Mallett and Miyuki Fukushima Tedor, has historically derived from oppressive and Juvenile Delinquency: Pathways and Prevention (Thousand racist values. Instead of receiving support and Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2019)) 12 Robert Hamlett. Bremner, Children and Youth in America: A effective rehabilitation through the juvenile Documentary History (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University court system, the delinquent and vulnerable Press, 1970). 13 Christopher A. Mallett and Miyuki Fukushima Tedor, Juvenile Delinquency: Pathways and Prevention 14 Ibid
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youth became an outcast, was punished, the dangers and abuse of the carceral system. humiliated and confined by an oppressive, A powerful label such as “superpredators” high-class White-centered society. from political figure, Hillary Clinton, and the mass media of impoverished Black and Brown Race, Gender, and Delinquent Behavior communities that ensued, displayed the In addition to the historical factors, government’s initiatives for punishment over social factors such as race and gender play rehabilitation a and the racialization crime. of 16 role in what constitutes delinquent behavior. Juvenile delinquency continues to be viewed Youths of color are criminalized at a heavier as a force needed to be controlled socially and rate than White youth; thus, they are more institutionally. Differential rates of poverty vulnerable to being subjected to systemic and social conditions are one of the main violence. Historically, since the juvenile justice contributors to the levels of racial disparity system’s origination, minority youth have seen in the justice system with youth of color been disproportionately represented in more likely to live in less advantaged juvenile courts. 43% of boys and 34% of environments. girls This leads to the issue of in juvenile facilities are Black; 3% of girls whether and the common juvenile nonviolent 1.5% of boys in juvenile facilities are Native crimes or status offenses that are committed 15 American. America being built on the are indications of survival such as theft or foundation of white supremacy creates staying a past curfew. Without understanding racialized system that punishes Black and the social contexts and racialization of the Brown boys and girls. Racialized social control American justice system, the courts continue has deep roots in American history beginning to punish and detain youth from with the institution of slavery and punishment underprivileged communities and criminalize to modern day policing and surveillance. Black and Brown youth. Oppressive police practices and punitive Young girls are also vulnerable to the crime legislation contribute to the juvenile justice system. Girls who enter the disproportionate representation of youth of system range from as young as 11 to 18 years color in the juvenile justice system. Police old. In 2009, girls accounted for almost 50% practices that patrol and target low-income of all status offense cases petitioned to the urban communities and the 1990s “tough court, on compared to 28% of all delinquency crime” laws contributed to the increase cases. of 17 The differential and disproportionate minority youth infiltrated in the justice treatment girls receive from the courts stem system. Many states enacted policies that 16 Anne Gearan, A. (2019, April 28). Clinton Regrets 1996 criminalized and moved youth from juvenile Remark on 'Super-Predators' After Encounter with Activist. court to adult court, exposing the youth Retrieved to December 5, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp /2016/02/25/clinton-heckled-by-black-lives-matter-activis t/ 15 W., Sawyer, (n.d.). Youth Confinement: The Whole Pie 2019. 17 Girls in the Juvenile Justice System. (n.d.). Retrieved Retrieved December 7, 2020, from December 14, 2020, from https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/youth2019.html https://juvjustice.org/our-work/girls
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from the socialization and paternalistic delinquency and a need for detainment attitude of girls within American society. For according to the court’s stance. This leads to a example, behaviors that are both common retainment in of trauma that has not been adult men and young boys such as using addressed coupled with the administration of profane language, are viewed as delinquent unjust punishment. These young girls are behavior from girls and thus the system puts confined and demonized rather than receiving girls at greater risk of being adjudicated. proper assistance and treatment. Western societal institutions such as school, It’s imperative to recognize how the the home, the church etc. push girls into court the system identifies who needs to be juvenile justice system in an attempt rehabilitated to and who needs to be reinforce gender norms, while the needs, controlled-- those who are more vulnerable attitudes and identities of young girls are face more punishment than the advantaged. dismissed and/or criminalized. Young girls are socialized to behave a certain way and The Link between Schools and the Prison inadvertently continue the perpetuation of System American oppressive systems, practices, and Another mechanism the juvenile court control; any form of deviance is viewed as system a uses to constitute delinquency is the threat to the power and status quo education of system. Being one of the first American patriarchy and social control. Black institutions a child is subjected to, the school girls are 20% more likely to be detained operates than in a manner that both contrasts and White girls their age, while American Indian mirrors the institutions of independent adults. 18 girls are 50% more likely to detained. be For instance, schools have their own norms, Nearly 90% of the young girls who enter procedures, the and modes of discipline if certain system are victims of abuse and neglect expectations are not followed or the ‘social (physical, emotional, and sexual) from either contract’ is violated. A school’s social contract 19 family or community members. Based on is typically agreed upon by teachers and evidence of juvenile detainment and racial students within the classroom and enforced group makeup, it's not surprising that girls by of teachers, parents, administrators, school color face a double jeopardy of punishment staff/officers and other adult professionals due to their intersectionality. For girls who who either deliberately or inadvertently are survivors of abuse and trauma, running criminalize specific youth behavior. American away or truancy is more of an act school of disciplinary policies such as the Zero self-preservation and survival more than Tolerance Policy and school police presence show the link between the juvenile justice 18 W., Sawyer, (n.d.). Youth Confinement: The Whole Pie 2019. 19 Katie Thompson, “Hidden from View: The Plight of Girls court in system and the education system and Juvenile Detention,” Shared Justice (Shared Justice, October how both institutions are oppressively similar 20, 2016), http://www.sharedjustice.org/domestic-justice/2016/10/2 in defining delinquency. Schools 0/hidden-from-view-the-plight-of-girls-in-juvenile-detentio administrators and teachers have been active n)
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referral sources for status offense petitions the essentials for healthy youth and brought against the youth, many of the adolescent development such as models for offenses including truancy and/or prosocial behavior, communication and 20 ungovernability. The underfunding, lack of problem-solving skills, and developing mental health support and staff, increased decision-making and critical thinking skills. school police surveillance, racist and sexist Additionally, youth incarceration was school environment, and the lack of skilled found to be the least cost-effective approach and compensated teachers in American public to recidivism, while alternate approaches such schools reflect the neoliberal austerity as mentoring and multisystemic therapy are 21 measures of the overall society. more constructive and cost-effective . In the guise of doing good, multiple Alternatives to juvenile confinement and American institutions have done harm to the detention include house arrest, shelter care youth and their development. Instead of or group homes, and day or evening referring to or providing physical and mental community-based treatments that provide health services thus aiding in the positive cost-effective and adequate care, attention, development of the youth, the public and edification. education system plays a role in the mass In Florida, my home state, juvenile incarceration of American individuals and the justice approaches have ranged from institutionalization and confinement of youth. detention to court diversion programs and alternatives. For example, AMIKids is a
What Do We Need? non-profit day treatment program based in Even though juvenile crime has been cities throughout Florida that serves both declining since the late 1990s, the legacy boys of and girls deemed ‘delinquent’ by the legislation, administration changes, court for misdemeanors or minor offenses. oppressive social wealth gaps and They provide services based on their institutionalization has led to the ingrained research- driven approach titled the Personal images and practices of criminalized youth Growth Model; these services include and distorted definition of ‘delinquency’. academic and extracurricular education, Consequently, the current failure of juvenile behavior modification using positive detainment stems from flaws of the juvenile reinforcement, and a treatment component court system and its emphasis on control which and encapsulates therapy for both youth 22 confinement. These institutions are devoid of and families. AMIKids has been recognized by both the Office of Juvenile Justice and
20 GIRLS, STATUS OFFENSES AND THE NEED FOR A LESS Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the U.S. PUNITIVE AND MORE EMPOWERING APPROACH. Coalition for Juvenile Justice: SOS Project (Fall 2013). https://juvjustice.org/sites/default/files/resource-files/SO 21 Ian Lambie, Isabel Randell, The Impact of Incarceration on S%20Project%20-%20Girls,%20Status%20Offenses%20and% Juvenile Offenders, Clinical Psychology Review 20the%20Need%20for%20a%20Less%20Punitive%20and%20 22 AMIKids Programs and Services. (n.d.). Retrieved November More%20Empowering%20Approach.pdf Retrieved November 27, 2020, from 20, 2020. http://www.amikids.org/about-ami-kids/our-story
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Department of Justice for their holistic and incorporate the principles and tools of strength-based approaches that help with the effective treatment such as mental health and 24 wellbeing of at risk youth. This program substance abuse services. Family-centered encapsulates many of the qualities necessary and community-based intervention programs for a youth development program and keeps are comprehensive approaches to bridging low and at-risk youth from detainment. ‘identity’ with Western institutions such as Vulnerable youth should be provided with the justice and education system. The these educational and developmental programs view youths as whole individuals opportunities instead of confinement as who need both guidance and agency, rather detention centers are not deterrence from than need to be controlled. crime. There is a growing need for ‘Lil Light of Mine’ development programs that counteract the Program Proposal Sample impact of negative peer influences, violence, Community-based intervention feelings of isolation and negative images programs in would also serve as support systems television media and music for marginalized for young offenders as changes in family youth. There is a need for youth programs factors and and negative peer association can alternatives to juvenile detention that work hinder to treatment. Therefore, I propose the develop prosocial behaviors and attitudes in following program or components to be youth that lead to critical thinking and implemented through an existing educational responsible decision making. The principles program that caters to youth and their for effective and rehabilitative treatment positive prosocial development. This program should focus on the level of risk posed by will the be based in my hometown Miami, FL and offender and ensure it matches the level will of focus on the five Social and Emotional intensity of the treatment. In other words, Learning is it Competencies 1) self-awareness, 2) necessary to imprison youth for being out in self-management 3) social awareness 4) 23 public later than 11 pm? What are the relationship skills and 5) responsible 25 alternatives for children and adolescents who decision-making: break curfew? Moreover, the treatment should be rehabilitative in nature and should Lil’ Light of Mine is a non-profit match the young person’s learning style and after-school social, emotional, and identity-based experiences. Research shows that community based programs that use 24 Lambie, Ian, Isabel Randell, The impact of incarceration on evidence-based practices such as cognitive juvenile offenders, Clinical Psychology Review, Volume 33, behavior and social learning approaches also Issue 3,2013, Pages 448-459, ISSN 0272-7358, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.007. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S02727 23 Juvenile Curfew Laws: The Basics. (2019, January 17). 3581300010X) Retrieved December 9, 2020, from 25 SEL: What Are the Core Competence Areas and Where are https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/juvenile-cur they Promoted? (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2020, from few-laws-the-basics.html https://casel.org/sel-framework/
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behavioral learning program that is help students develop social and catered for low income 6th-8th grade emotional learning skills include: students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida. Students will have Self-Identity: The Self Identification is a the option of meeting in person or student-led practice that builds upon virtually to participate in practices that the foundational competencies of benefit their social and emotional self-awareness where students will be well-being. The programs will focus on able to identify and communicate self-regulation skills, skills to build and either social identities to themselves or maintain positive relationships, and with their peers. This practice decision-making skills. Students Lil’ in promotes equity as students from all Light of Mine will develop the traits and diverse backgrounds are able to self skills to recognize and manage their identify and share aspects of their lives emotions, become active listeners and with one another. This practice also well-balanced critical thinkers. builds upon relationships skills as According to a national survey of students learn how to communicate 148,189 sixth to twelfth graders, only and listen actively, while program 29%–45% of surveyed students educators monitor. reported that they had social competencies such as empathy, Additionally, this practice will foster an decision making, and conflict resolution identity safe environment for students skills, and only 29% indicated that their of all backgrounds. The Stanford school provided a caring, encouraging Integrated Schools Project reported 26 environment. There seems to be a that identity safe classrooms lead to disconnect with SEL for students who academic achievement such as higher transition to high school, thus lacking standardized test scores, a sense of 27 the necessary skills to be socially and belonging, and setting realistic goals. emotionally intelligent. Therefore, this Using diversity for a resource of program targets these specific students learning, the students will learn respect and instills the proper skills to improve for others and how to collaborate as a behavior, attitude and academic community. performance. The several practices that will be Mindfulness/Meditation: Mindfulness implemented within the program to Practice will be led by a meditation
26 Durlak, Joseph & Weissberg, Roger & Dymnicki, Allison & 27 Cohn-Vargas, B., & Steele, D. (2015, October 21). Creating an Taylor, Rebecca & Schellinger, Kriston. (2011). The Impact of Identity-Safe Classroom. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A https://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-an-identity-safe- Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child classroom-becki-cohn-vargas-dorothy-steele development. 82. 405-32. 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x.
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teacher/expert that provides these punishment instead of help. Children need students with one healthy practice to identity, support and love from family and/or regulate their emotions and effectively surrounding community members. The manage stress. As Self Awareness plays detainment of the low-offending youth a central role in the ability of through juvenile facilities promotes self-management, students are taught historically and socially oppressive ideals all how to identify and manage their while failing to reform the vulnerable youth. emotions and thoughts all while Juvenile delinquent behavior is defined by the motivating oneself. social, economic, and political climate of the nation; the criminalization and incarceration Peer Mediation: Students will be able to of youths in America is dependent on an resolve conflicts amongst themselves already oppressive system. Hopefully, we will through peer mediation. This practice see the insurgence of preventive at-risk youth builds upon the ability to develop programs, the decrease in juvenile detention positive and healthy relationships and and the overall growth of independent teaches students how to communicate well-balanced responsible citizens. In addition their needs and negotiate conflict to resolving the issue of juvenile detainment, constructively. Peer Mediation also the US must reevaluate their standing on promotes problem solving and conflict juvenile delinquency as it holds historical and resolution skills that build upon making oppressive precedents. Young Black and responsible and ethical decisions. Brown boys and girls suffer adverse consequences when criminalized by both the
Conclusion justice system and the education system and Obviously, there are some concerns are exposed to an environment that fails to regarding the abolition of prisons and the consider their development status and ability to rehabilitate serious young offenders criminogenic needs. Angela Davis imagined a and reoffenders. We demand a balance world without prisons. Nas and Lauryn Hill between public safety and rehabilitation for imagined that “if they ruled the world, they’d serious offenders where restorative justice free all of their sons” [and daughters]. Now, approaches are used in a we imagine a world of restoration and healing community-supportive environment. beginning by keeping the light of the future Evidently, imprisonment is not a deterrence generation aflame. for crime and does more harm than good, especially for young individuals. The US needs to evaluate the definition of ‘delinquency’ for “The Future is Light”- Playlist youths, as its oppressive origin continues to 1. “Alright”- Kendrick Lamar harm youth from marginalized communities 2. “Optimistic” - Sounds of Blackness and subject vulnerable individuals to 3. “Stand” - Sounds of Blackness
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4. “So This is Our Revolution” - Sonia 33. “Back to the Future (Part II)” - D’Angelo Sanchez 34. “Another Life” - D’Angelo 5. “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” - Nina 35. “Institutionalized” - Kendrick Lamar, Simone Bilal, Anna Wise, Snoop Dogg 6. “Formation” - Beyoncé 36. “Hood Politics” - Kendrick Lamar 7. “When the Revolution Comes” - The 37. “The Blacker The Berry” - Kendrick Last Poets Lamar 8. “On Becoming An Activist” - Angela 38. “How Much A Dollar Cost” - Kendrick Davis Lamar, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley 9. “U.N.I.T.Y.” - Queen Latifah 39. “Do It” - Chloe x Halle 10. “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” - 40.“The Kids Are Alright” - Chloe x Halle Nas, Ms. Lauryn Hill 41. “F.U.B.U.” - Solange, The-Dream, BJ The 11. “Real People” - Common Chicago Kid 12. “A Change is Gonna Come” - Sam 42. “Blk Girl Soldier” - Jamila Woods Cooke 43. “FDT” - YG, Nipsey Hussle 13. “I Wish I Knew How It Would - Feel” 44. “Weary” - Solange Nina Simone 45. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” 14. “Sunshine” - Pusha T, Jill Scott - Gil Scott-Heron 15. “Soul Food” - Goodie Mob 46. “Get Up, Stand Up” - The Wailers 16. “We The People” - A Tribe Called Quest 47. “Hills and Valleys” - Buju Banton 17. “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” - 48. “Down With the Clique” - Solange Nikki Giovanni 49. “BROWN SKIN GIRL” - Blue Ivy, SAINt 18. “Redemption Song” - Bob Marley & The JHN, Beyoncé, Wizkid Wailers 50.“War” - Bob Marley & The Wailers 19. “Respect” - Aretha Franklin 51. “Fidel” - Zenglen 20.“LAND OF THE FREE” - Joey Bada$$ 52. “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” - Tracy 21. “Keep Ya Head Up” - 2Pac Chapman 22. “Black Parade” - Beyoncé 53. “Hussle & Motivate” - Nipsey Hussle 23. “Ain’t That Easy” - D’Angelo 54. “Grinding All My Life” - Nipsey Hussle 24. “1000 Deaths” - D’Angelo 55. “Ex- Factor” - Ms. Lauryn Hill 25. “The Charade” - D’Angelo 56. “A Long Walk” - Jill Scott 26. “Sugah Daddy” - D’Angelo 57. “Golden” - Jill Scott 27. “Really Love” - D’Angelo 58. “Soul Sista” - Bilal 28. “Back to the Future (Part 1)” - D’Angelo 59. “Spiritual Thang” - Eric Benét 29. “Till It’s Done (Tutu)” - D’Angelo 60.“Hey Young World” - Fashawn, Aloe 30.“Prayer” - D’Angelo Blacc 31. “Betray My Heart” - D’Angelo 61. “Rise Up” - Andra Day 32. “The Door” - D’Angelo 62. “Never Break” - John Legend
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63. “So Much Trouble In The World” - Bob 68. “Lift Every Voice And Sing” - Bebe Marley & The Wailers Winans 64. “Sun is Shining” - Bob Marley & The 69.“Liberation” - OutKast, CeeLo Green Wailers 70. “Love’s in Need of Love Today” - Stevie 65. “So Much Things To Say” - Bob Marley Wonder & The Wailers 71. “Africa” - D’Angelo 66.“One Love/People Get Ready” - Bob 72. “Mad” - Solange, Lil Wayne Marley & The Wailers 73. “Cranes in the Sky” - Solange 67. “Concrete Jungle” - Bob Marley & The 74. “American Oxygen” - Rihanna Wailers 75. “ALREADY” - Beyoncé
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Works Cited AMIKids Programs and Services. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2020, from http://www.amikids.org/about-ami-kids/our-story
Cohn-Vargas, B., & Steele, D. (2015, October 21). Creating an Identity-Safe Classroom. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-an-identity-safe-classroom-becki-cohn-vargas-dorot hy-steele
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