After last weeks class debate, I decided to share an article that I came across about a month ago. Ironically I saw this article the day after sitting in a court room watching juveniles be given lengthier sentences than they probably deserved and that did not involve any type of rehabilitation or therapy.
This article describes a juvenile court judge in Maryland who believes that he knows what is in every child's best interest and will give them sentences to teach them lessons to ensure they will not re-offend. Many critics believe that he goes too far and is extending his role beyond a judge. Some of the critics argue that his sentences are unjust and do not match the crime while others believe that his requirements that a certain G.P.A be maintained is not in the realm of his duties. He has been questioned and in some cases ordered to reconsider sentences for violations of state law. This judge relies heavily on incarceration and long sentences, arguing that they need to learn there lessons so that they will not re-offend.
One personal story that was mentioned was that of a young girl who came to America with her family when she was 3. She grew up in a dangerous neighborhood, surrounded by crime and violence and witnessed her friends deaths. When she was a teenager, she was sexually assaulted and did not tell anyone. In order to escape all of her pain and anxiety she began to drink and smoke. After running from police who wanted to question the group she was standing with on the street, she was caught and plead guilty to resisting arrest. She spent a year in a residential treatment facility in Ohio. She came out "worse than when she went in" because she was surrounded by girls who committed more serious and dangerous offenses. She came out and committed worse crimes and was re-arrested. This time she sat in a detention center for 10 months (most likely receiving little to no help) then sentenced to 18 months in a residential program. After finishing the 6-9 month program early (she finished in 5 months) and receiving kudos for being the most well behaved girl in the facility, her public defender attempted to get her sentence reduced. The judge refused to hear the case. The author claims that this then became more of a punishment than rehab.
The judge mentioned not having a father and also made the statement that he "cannot raise 1,700 kids a year". Well sir, that is not in your job description. You are there to give fair and just sentences that should match the crime. Not try to make up for what you lacked as child.
While I admire his desire to help youth and see them get into college etc. His sentences are unjust. You can't be shocked some kids come out more troubled than before when they sit in a cell all day and receive barely to 0 mental health care! I doubt he spends anytime in the facilities to understand why he sees them again. When many of the youth come in having experienced around 6-9 traumatic life experiences and are not receiving any type of therapy or rehab, can you honestly expect them to come out changed? I agree that serious offenders need to do the time and be punished,but we need to make sure that they are receiving the care and therapy they need in order to ensure they will not re-offend. Simply putting them in cell for months on end is not solving the mental health issues that aided in their crimes. We have to work on the source of the issue, not just result of the issue.
The crazy thing about this is that Judge Dawson (The Maryland Judge) is not the only judge who has this mentality. While his tactic might scare or prevent some from doing future crimes, it doesn’t work on most. The personal story about the young girl who moved to America is a perfect example. As Kara mentioned, the girl went to a detention center, was released, and committed more crime. So, the lesson Judge Dawson was trying to teach was not learned. I agree that what he is doing is unjust.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Hayley. There are many judges out there that have this mentality which is a disturbing thing to think about. It has been proven that scaring or intimidating teens into doing the "right thing" is actually very counterproductive. In one of my classes we discussed the tv show/program beyond scared straight and studies show that it lacks effectiveness and long term results. While this judge may think his intentions are justified, he needs to reevaluate his beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy that he would say those things you quoted. I feel that many judges feel they are the most "powerful", but don't have updated research backing their decisions. When the judges began practicing, these types of sentences may have been the only option, but today research is showing that these sentences really aren't beneficial. I do think that he is stepping outside his boundaries and role as a judge!
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely sad that he's not the only one. I've had the Beyond Scared Straight numerous times. I have only watched it a few times but I don't believe it is a reliable method for all youth. Perhaps for some of the younger, less serious offenders, but for some youth, they are not phased by the yelling and threats. I think that judges need to be educated on the mental health aspect and the big picture overall, not solely the judicial aspect.
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