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 Photo by Nadine Batya |
Putting
children in prisons not only harms the child but goes against every
core value of the juvenile justice system. Rehabilitation, treatment,
accountability, public safety and a belief in the potential of children
are all undermined when we rely on juvenile prisons to care for our
troubled young people. Apart from being subjected to chaotic violence
and the pain of being isolated from their families, confinement fails
to make a positive difference in a child's life; in fact, many youth
come out hardened and more likely to re-offend than when they went in.
Children's lives are so disrupted by prison that they find it
difficult, if not impossible, to get back on track once they return
home. They've lost education opportunities, job opportunities, and
opportunities for exploration and experimentation that are a natural
part of healthy adolescent development. Robbed of their teenage years,
youth lose the chance for self-expression and self-growth.
Given prison’s devastating and debilitating impact on childhood,
JJPL believes it is essential that Louisiana invest in more and better
alternatives to incarceration. Community-based alternative programs
keep children connected to their families and loved ones while
providing individualized treatment and holding them appropriately
accountable for their actions. Because such programs are relatively
small and located within communities, interventions can build on
existing resources, such as schools, families, mentoring programs,
mental health care and so on, to enhance the opportunities for success.
JJPL emphasizes the importance of community-based alternatives to
incarceration through its public outreach and education efforts and is
seeking to coordinate with service providers to increase options for
effective alternatives in our communities throughout the state. JJPL
also works with Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children in their efforts to advocate for more treatment and rehabilitation alternatives for young people.
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