The Colorado legislature is considering minors who murder and whether they should have the opportunity for parole. This author applauds the legislature's vote on April 21, 2016, which brings Colorado one step closer to the decision of the U. S. Supreme Court that automatic life without parole for juveniles is unconstitutional. Life without parole is inappropriate for juvenile offenders. It damages the individual, it feeds the base craving for vengeance, and does not address the underlying need within society.
What you can do
Write to the Colorado State Judiciary Committee
Write to your Senator
It is natural that people feel angry when anyone commits a serious crime. It is a healthy part of how we know the acceptable way to behave in society. It is how we respond that reflects our maturity. "Throw the book at them" is a gut-level response that does not take into consideration the complexities of being human. We can elect to stop and think about the roots of the issue, study effective responses, and choose based upon those considerations. Then we display that we are Homo Sapiens.
Children who offend are in a delicate position. Their brains are not fully formed. They do not have the judgment to understand what they are doing and the concequences. It is in the best interests of society that all young people learn acceptable behavior. However, it is rare that the corrections industry actually corrects the offending behavior. Rather, it reinforces a "them" versus "us" mindset, and teaches inmates better ways to get along in the criminal world rather than how to be better citizens.
We see that higher income households have lower incidence of crime, especially against women. We know that better education leads to raised income levels. But high spending on prisons in Colorado places Colorado at the bottom of states for spending on education. Therefore we are undercutting an important mechanism for reducing prison populations
Let's change our budget priorities. Let's spend money on education and nutrition for young people. Let's create ways to help young people when they show signs of mental health or substance abuse. If we find it necessary to segregate individuals because of behavior, let's focus on treatment rather than punishment.
In the case of the 48 juvenile offenders up for review, let's allow parole, and create a program to help them understand the acceptable ways to deal with conflict and stress in society. Let's become a model of how to help our people rather than following the ancient punitive path. It goes against our gut feelings, but it was gut feelings that got us into this situation. Albert Einstein noted that "We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them." Therefore, let's take a higher view to solve this problem.
Related links
Prison spending compromises our children's futures Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
Colorado bill for reviews of 48 juveniles sentenced to life passes first round The Denver Post 4/21/2016
Supreme Court says states may not impose mandatory life sentences on juvenile murders The Washington Post 6/25/2012
What you can do
Write to the Colorado State Judiciary Committee
Write to your Senator
It is natural that people feel angry when anyone commits a serious crime. It is a healthy part of how we know the acceptable way to behave in society. It is how we respond that reflects our maturity. "Throw the book at them" is a gut-level response that does not take into consideration the complexities of being human. We can elect to stop and think about the roots of the issue, study effective responses, and choose based upon those considerations. Then we display that we are Homo Sapiens.
Children who offend are in a delicate position. Their brains are not fully formed. They do not have the judgment to understand what they are doing and the concequences. It is in the best interests of society that all young people learn acceptable behavior. However, it is rare that the corrections industry actually corrects the offending behavior. Rather, it reinforces a "them" versus "us" mindset, and teaches inmates better ways to get along in the criminal world rather than how to be better citizens.
We see that higher income households have lower incidence of crime, especially against women. We know that better education leads to raised income levels. But high spending on prisons in Colorado places Colorado at the bottom of states for spending on education. Therefore we are undercutting an important mechanism for reducing prison populations
Let's change our budget priorities. Let's spend money on education and nutrition for young people. Let's create ways to help young people when they show signs of mental health or substance abuse. If we find it necessary to segregate individuals because of behavior, let's focus on treatment rather than punishment.
In the case of the 48 juvenile offenders up for review, let's allow parole, and create a program to help them understand the acceptable ways to deal with conflict and stress in society. Let's become a model of how to help our people rather than following the ancient punitive path. It goes against our gut feelings, but it was gut feelings that got us into this situation. Albert Einstein noted that "We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them." Therefore, let's take a higher view to solve this problem.
Related links
Prison spending compromises our children's futures Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
Colorado bill for reviews of 48 juveniles sentenced to life passes first round The Denver Post 4/21/2016
Supreme Court says states may not impose mandatory life sentences on juvenile murders The Washington Post 6/25/2012
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