Punishment versus Rehabilitation

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/06/05/when-to-punish-a-young-offender-and-when-to-rehabilitate/prison-is-a-poor-deterrent-and-a-dangerous-punishment

The information that has been discussed in regards to the effectiveness of rehabilitation focused services for juvenile offenders is compelling and a very persuasive evidenced based argument. I stumbled across this debate out of the New York Times from several years ago. While this is far from an evidence based approach that is being discussed, it touches on the major downfall to simply trying to employ an evidence based approach to change this area. It's clear that the emotional, very human cry for justice/retribution completely influences this whole debate. That has been the question that has arose in my mind, is there a proper place where the concepts of justices and future wellbeing can become co-existing ideas? I don't know the answer, but the different writers of the opinion pieces touch on this concept. For instance, the sister of a woman who's husband and herself describes the pain felt after this occurred and how the adult sentence given to a 16 year old helped to satiate her pain and desire for retribution. On paper, this emotions do not "look good" or are empirically helpful, but I believe are a real part of humanity that can not be overlooked in the continuation of this debate. All the opinion writers, pro adult sentencing for minors/against adult sentencing, did agree to one thing. Under no circumstances should a juvenile who has been charged with minor crimes ever be admitted to an adult system. It seems like this focus has to be the major task of current reform, eliminating the ability for minors to be pushed up to the adult system for repeated minor crimes, or harmless acts of deviance. I admit this area is a relatively new area for myself to consider so I'm open to feedback on the blend of justice/rehabilitation. I want to learn more about the effect biological/environmental/traumatic determinism and volitional decision making. I want to see the end of young offenders being given absurd sentences for minor crimes. I want to understand how to best consider the victim and the perpetrator in this whole process.