To all the state judges and legislatures,
We must put an end to the mindless incarceration of minors. The mindless incarceration that then turns them into hardened criminals. We must focus back on rehabilitation rather than punishing them to the max because of the emotions that were felt during the time of indictment. These kids are of course able to be brought back to reality. They’re able to be mended new again into stable citizens. These kids are salvageable from the wreckage that is life.
To the state judges, think ahead of the various consequences when sentencing a minor. Think about the gravity of the situation rather than thinking through the spur of the moment and pressure from the public. Choose what you think is right. A child that made a dumb choice or a mistake in life should not be sentenced as an adult in prison. They should be sent rather to a rehabilitation center and wired back to a normal kid to hopefully soon lead a normal life. If you sentence a kid as an adult to prison and the crime that they committed was minor, the only thing that will happen is that they too will turn into those around them. Kids are like sponges and they’ll soak up the environment around them. By throwing them in adult prisons, that environment and way of life will be the only thing they know. They’ll turn into hardened criminals and once they get out, they will most definitely end right back in prison for committing a crime. Why? Because it’s the only thing they were ever shown as a kid and is the only lifestyle they know. Recidivism among minors is increasing and it is your decision if they will be sentenced as an adult or not.
To the state legislatures, do not give into the pressure of the public. They only give out heated emotions over the situation and rarely ever give a well thought out opinion or solution. Focus on what laws are good for the kids. Focus on how these laws can be used to help correct a minor rather than punish him. We must learn and come to the conclusion that kids don't think about the consequences. They only think about then and there and do what they think is right based off of emotion. Just like the public. They don’t think ahead, they just do. Kids, up until about age 10, can’t form criminal intent. Their brains aren’t wired in any way for them to be able to. To those past age 10 and commit and serious offense then that’s all fair game for them to be persecuted as an adult. It’s totally fair for laws to be passed to deal with those types of delinquents.
To the general public, think about what situations your emotions have gotten you into. More often than not I assure you that they’ve only gotten you to places you wish you wish never existed. Or even you yourself never existed. This is why we all must take a step back and become unbiased about the situation. We must look at the situation at large about children being indicted as adults for minor crimes and work towards solutions to help them. We mustn’t become parted like the partisans in Congress. This isn’t for us. This is for the children. For those that will lead us into the generation of tomorrow and I know for certain that we don’t want gangbangers, that were created because of the failure of the current system we have now, to be at the fore front. We want those that know struggle and know paint but were able to come back and strive from their lowest points. These are the prime leaders that can set the example. Yet these leaders are all locked up and their fates will change because no one will come to their aid. To help them leave the hell they were sentenced to with prejudice.
Parents always say that the kids come first before anything else. Sometimes that’s true, but sometimes it is tested and isn’t true. If the kids always come first then their lives must always be cherished and nurtured and we must look after them no matter the situation they are in.