Incarcerating Kids
Incarcerating Kids
When I taught school, invariably some students would end up in Juvie. I am sure there was some distinguished name for the place they were going, but it was Juvie to the kids and it was Juvie to me.
The PTB in my school rarely apprised me of this move. So I turned to the reliable source of news, the kids. They knew everything. It didn't matter if it was school, neighborhood, or whatever. If it was related to their universe, they had the scoop. They knew all the details that even the PTB might not know.
I hated it when a kid went to Juvie. Of course, the obvious reason is that once again a young person was going to be behind bars. Juvie was not known for broadening horizons and uplifting spirits. Their mission statement as far as I could tell was "We may not make you better, but we will make you stay out of people's lives." It was shortsighted, but hey, it was a goal.
I hated it because it made the kids mean and/or meaner. Many weren't bad to the bone incorrigible criminals. Most needed structure, guidance, and some path of hope out of gawd knows what situations. Juvie was not the place for that.
Give anybody some time in Juvie and see how their dispositions change. I doubt if it will be for the better. These kids were going to be out on the streets again. One would think that trying to give them some help so that they didn't return would be on top of the list. I don't think it was on the list if there even was a list.
I also hated kids being sent to Juvie because they learned a lot of new things and they weren't constructive. The kids naturally shared their adventures, and these gave each of them many ideas that they might never have had. In addition, the kids could discuss how to avoid pitfalls and add helpful hints. It was a learning experience alright.
I still remember some students and their escapades. I was calling roll one morning when one student spoke up and told me that Jamie was going to be absent. Of course I asked why and I was told he was in jail.
It would seem that while walking to school, Jamie was getting a little too cold. He saw a car warming up in a driveway. Yep, he jumped in and drove away. He didn't lead the police on any high-speed chase. They pulled him over driving around town and he quietly went with them.
Jamie wasn't a mean kid. He couldn't read and had no interest in school. He was always truant and pulling some stunt that was either dangerous, against the law, or both. Off to Juvie he went as a repeat offender.
Another kid wasn't in class on the first day. I knew him from earlier encounter.
Me: "Where's Danny"
Kids: He's in Juvie.
Me: Why?
Kids:He shot a man.
Me:Okaaaaaaaay.....
I could never get the story straight about the shooting. There were many angles and people involved.
One day Danny just showed up and was sitting in a front seat. He was a big kid and he did not look especially happy. Danny had been released and there he was. I never learned anything from the PTB about him or any plans to help him. He eventually relaxed and the year passed uneventfully.
Juvie has become a holding cell for kids. They go in with problems, and they come out with even more. Those who want these units to be punishment oriented forget or don't care that these kids WILL be back on the streets. They will be older, bigger, and meaner.
These kids did need help. They were beyond getting it in a school setting. However, Juvie was a place that did not provide that help. I'm sure there are some decent units in places. There aren't enough of them.
God Bless The Child
Them that's got shall get
Them that's not shall lose
So the Bible said and it still is news
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Yes, the strong gets more
While the weak ones fade
Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Money, you've got lots of friends
Crowding round the door
When you're gone, spending ends
They don't come no more
Rich relations give
Crust of bread and such
You can help yourself
But don't take too much
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
Mama may have, Papa may have
But God bless the child that's got his own
That's got his own
He just worry 'bout nothin'
Cause he's got his own
-Billie Holiday
= new reply since forum marked as read
