Hope for Rehabilitation for Institutionalized Youth Offenders Essay

â€Å"You do the crime, you pay the time,† is a common phrase uttered throughout our society in regard to juvenile delinquency. It has been suggested that a punitive response to the problem of youth violence in America is an effective means of solving the issue of youth crime, and would also deter future offenders. As a result, the existence of rehabilitation strategies within the system available to offenders is under threat. A harsh and punitive response to youth violence was, in part, brought about by a moral panic across America. Exaggerations by the media and political figures act as instigators of panic. Both the media and politicians promoted the concept of the super-predator youth. The media played its part by publishing or airing many individual stories of violent youth. Those in question represented only a small amount of the adolescent population. However, many Americans took these media-conveyed stories at face value, and it seemed to the public that there could be a juvenile delinquent around every corner just slavering to steal their wallet or sell them narcotics (Howell, 27). As a political ploy, many of those running for office and looking to gain support drew on this fear and called for more punitive measures toward youth violence. Politicians pushed to confine youth within adult prisons (Howell, 27). In some states, those under the age of 16 can now be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, and the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the United States reserved the right to execution of those under the age of 18. Eighteen youths have been put to death in the United States (Howell, 39). There were high hopes of deterring violence in thi... ... considers these young people a lost cause, we are doing ourselves a serious injustice. They may not be able to physically give back what they have taken, be it life, possessions, or the integrity of others or themselves. Giving comes in many shapes and sizes. A rehabilitated young man may become a mentor for at-risk kids. A young woman out of treatment may start midnight basketball in her crime-ridden neighborhood. Another may move on to further his education. The possibilities are endless for so many of these youths. However, they need help in accomplishing their potential. This being said, who are we to deprive someone so young with so many years ahead of them, of life and liberty? These young people deserve a chance. They can change for the better. This can be accomplished by further investigating effective treatment. Now is the time to make it happen.