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by Becca Kieler
If you have read the articles Pulse has run on a local teen charged with 2nd-degree murder for a terrible traffic accident that killed two people, you may be wondering why the community wanted him tried in juvenile court while the District Attorney wanted him tried as an adult and potentially sent to adult prison.
Why has the community fought to keep this teen in the juvenile system, and why is this in our best interest?
The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized and built case law on the science that full frontal lobe maturation is not reached until approximately 25. This is the part of the brain that is involved in decision making. (In case you have ever wondered why teens do risky things.)
Our juvenile justice system was created to deal with youth who are not yet fully developed adults. Because their brains are not fully developed, they are also much more amenable to rehabilitation.
Research shows that: (1) youth held in youth facilities have a lower recidivism rate than those in adult prison; (2) those who go through a real rehabilitation program also have lower recidivism rates.
Punishment in prison for 30 years to life does not give the victim’s family the peace they want and deserve.
They want accountability: 1) acknowledging responsibility, 2) genuine remorse, and 3) actions to repair harm.
Programs tailored to youth and that support accountability are more effective than punishment in adult prisons in ensuring the outcomes we want—justice and public safety.
Becca Kieler is a Redwood City resident.
These are such important points. I hope we can keep the focus on rehabilitation for the sake of young offenders– and the wider society.