Germany’s progressive treatment of its youth offenders in its criminal justice system leads to fewer youths in adult prisons, lower recidivism, and lesser sentences. “Germany is probably the ‘grandfather’ of special treatment for emerging adults in all of Europe. In 1953, German law was changed to allow youth up to age 21 when they committed their offense to be tried as juveniles,” The Crime Report reported. As a result of this approach, 66 percent of emerging adults who committed a crime were sentenced as juveniles. This includes more … [Read more...] about Germany progressive juvenile justice approach
29 years in prison is enough for Mike Webb
After six parole hearings and 29 years in prison, Mike Webb, a beloved Kid CAT member, was found suitable for parole. “Mike Webb is one of the most compassionate and committed persons that I know,” said Charlie Spence, Kid CAT Chairman. “We will all miss him very much, because he has been such a positive impact in our group and in this community.” The youngest of three children, Webb was born and raised in Los Angeles by his single mother. “Growing up without a father was tough,” he says. “I didn’t have anyone I could turn to, to learn … [Read more...] about 29 years in prison is enough for Mike Webb
San Quentin mourns long time friend and volunteer
San Quentin mourns the passing of one of its volunteers, Dr. Davida Coady, whose humanitarian work with Cesar Chavez, Mother Teresa and third-world countries has impacted disadvantaged children, refugees, addicts and lifers. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Coady,” said Tith Ton, an inmate at San Quentin and addiction counselor trained by Dr. Coady. “Forty years ago she provided medical aid to my mom in a refugee camp in Thailand. Forty years later, she taught me how to become an addiction counselor to provide treatment for others … [Read more...] about San Quentin mourns long time friend and volunteer
Resilience: A key factor in growth
Successful adults who overcame difficult childhoods have one thing in common – resilience, according to social scientists. “The dictionary defines resilience as elasticity, which is the ability to recover quickly, and easily…these images are fine for describing recovery from short-term problems, but they don’t capture how resiliency truly works and feels,” said Dr. Meg Jay, author of Supernormal: The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience. “The most common childhood adversities aren’t one-time events but chronic sources of stress: … [Read more...] about Resilience: A key factor in growth
Inmate NAACP chapter in Delaware
Inmates at a Delaware state prison have created an NAACP chapter to litigate for rehabilitation, compassionate release, improved health care, and better living conditions. “My top priority is for inmates to understand that we have the power to change things via political and judicial processes,” said Robert Saunders, inmate at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Delaware, and chairman of the Legal Redress Committee and NAACP Prison Chapter 2032. In association with the NAACP, the group is officially called the Legal Redress Committee … [Read more...] about Inmate NAACP chapter in Delaware
USSC Children’s right to counsel
Fifty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children have a right to counsel, but many kids in the juvenile system are still left unrepresented, according to a new report. Children of color are disproportionately affected, and they make up a majority of arrests, says the May report by the National Juvenile Defender Center. Other key findings: --Despite the court ruling, “Children in the United States are not guaranteed lawyers.” Only 11 states provide every child accused of an offense with a lawyer, regardless of financial … [Read more...] about USSC Children’s right to counsel
Keep kids out of the system
Several counties in the U.S. have implemented a new program that has helped to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system, according to The Crime Report. Called “System of Care,” the program is “changing the way the county addresses juvenile crime” since it was launched in November, wrote Anne Jungen in Wisconsin’s La Crosse Tribune. The program focuses on kids in school. System of Care “fills a gap between how schools handle misconduct and what the juvenile justice system provides by addressing the [troublesome or acting out] behavior … [Read more...] about Keep kids out of the system
Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
Many youth offenders who find themselves incarcerated at San Quentin fail to recognize the opportunities available to them and end up transferred to higher level institutions due to behavioral infractions. “I didn’t realize what I had here in San Quentin,” said Andrew Joseph Biovin, 21, a youth offender who was deemed a program failure and was transferred out of San Quentin. “Now I want to go to programs and learn all I can. Now, it’s real. Now I care.” In 2013, a new law AB1276, allowed new offenders between the ages of 18 and 23 an … [Read more...] about Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
CA senators bill baring juveniles from adult courts
Two California senators introduce a bill that would bar prosecutors from trying juveniles 15 years old and younger in adult court. The proposal that would “bar prosecutors from asking that minors to be tried in adult court if they were 14 or 15 years old at the time of their crime….(is) one of several in a package of bills introduced by Sens. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens),” The Los Angeles Times reported. Other bills proposed by Mitchell and Lara would repeal a one-year sentence enhancement for prior … [Read more...] about CA senators bill baring juveniles from adult courts
Life of crime overturned by positive choices
A variety of rehabilitative programs, including dance, helped Anouthinh Pangthong turn his life around despite a rocky youth and 21 years in prison since the age of 15. “Life in prison can become tedious, doing the same thing over and over. Sparks of violence would break the monotony. When an opportunity came to do something different through dancing, I jumped at the chance. My life has since been anything but ordinary,” said Pangthong. “Dancing really saved my life.” Pangthong, known to his friends as Choy, is the latest Kid CAT member to be … [Read more...] about Life of crime overturned by positive choices