How about military service as an alternative to prison time? I've never been in the military, but former soldiers I know talk about how the discipline and training have served them well in civilian life. Such a program would exclude inductees with murder and violent assault convictions. But for others, such training might be a real benefit.
That used to be a choice sometimes given to low-level offenders, but after the draft was abolished, that practice was gone too.
I was in the Army for 20 years, and it was not particularly uncommon to encounter someone who felt that the Army turned their life around by offering an escape from “the hood” or some “backwater” rural town with little to no prospects. The training, job experience, mentors, discipline, general positive environment, and exposure to a world far beyond their little enclave showed so many possibilities many never dreamed of. That said, you have to join before you find yourself involved with the legal system because once you’re convicted, you’re most likely no longer qualified for enlistment. The military is not a social service experiment nor are they equipped to be.
In my imagination, I see parents and students being held accountable for school attendance, disruptive students being removed from the classroom (at any age), and no student progressing to the next grade without achieving the standards of their
I see disciplinary problems being dealt with in a military-like fashion. Bad behavior is nipped in the bud, consequences delivered quickly. That goes for the adults, too. Screaming parents, no. Misbehaving school administrators, no.
Children who meet standards are encouraged, rewarded, and held up as shining examples to be proud of and to be proud of themselves. A life that is enviable and attainable for all. Little kids might set the best examples.
Essentially, the same thing for young adults who are now in the prison system. Maybe a 60-90 day halfway house before they enter general population with a kind of military boot camp, classes in life skills, physical training, counseling, aptitude tests, skills and interests explored. After this training the “recruits” have two options, two exit doors. One door leads to a program of school, work, discipline, achievement, graduation, etc., and the other door leads to prison.
And, for God’s sake, clean up those schools, stop justifying and excusing crime, at least act like you care about these people. That would be such a help to the folks who actually do care. I’m lookin’ at you, King Randal on X.
By the way, successful completion of a program like this wouldn’t reflect prison time, it would be indicative of the hole these folks had to climb out of and still reach the heights of graduation.
Lock them up for their own good? I'm a Robert Cherry fan, but this essay is too focused on criminals. More attention needs to be paid to crime victims and the impacts of crime on the broader society. Consider the story of Issa Prescott, the owner of a restaurant in Atlanta that's been broken into five times in the past two years. Here are two news reports from this weekend:
"Life Bistro, a vegan restaurant in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood, has been targeted at least five times in the past two years, according to CEO and executive chef Issa Prescott. Security videos show thieves hurling rocks through the glass doors and attempting to force their way inside. Prescott said cash, iPads, point-of-sale systems, and even a manager’s work shoes have been stolen."
Prescott's trying to keep his young restaurant afloat in a neighborhood that doesn't have many healthy food options.. Young thieves, however, have hurt his business to such an extent that the glass company that charges him $1,000 every time his front door is damaged offers him discounts as a repeat customer. He set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of a metal roll-down gate that will help protect his business:
Other businesses in the same strip shopping center have had to buy roll-down gates as well (see second news video). One of the few that didn't closed after their last burglary.
Prescott employs 15 people. He grew up in Sylvan Hills and his mother lives near his restaurant. He's committed to his community, but his ability to absorb losses isn't limitless. Many small business owners who endured five break-ins within two years would close shop and move to safer places.
Young offenders and their parents should be forced to make at least partial restitution to the victims of their crimes. They may not have the resources to cover the full costs of their actions, but they should be forced to make restitution based upon their ability to pay. The courts can make those determinations.
As others have pointed out, young offenders should also be incentivized to learn marketable skills while behind bars so they can earn an honest living once they're released. This could involve a shorter period of incarceration and a transition to a supervised halfway house while the young offender lands a full-time job and demonstrates that they can be a productive member of society.
Another thing happening in my part of the country is parents being held criminally liable if their children access unsecured weapons and commit violent crimes.
Discussions about this topic need to extend well beyond what's best for offenders.
<<Perhaps I’m overestimating the benefits of prison discipline and skill development.>>
No, you are not! Great article. Key obstacle will be getting the funding to increase the number and diversity and quality "skill development" programs. And the incentives to enage in and complete them. Something like the Boy Scouts' merit badges. Get to Eagle rank and fly free.
Just a thought. If the U.S. required some type of mandatory service for young people (men and women), either the military, community service organizations, a new program, there might be a lot less need for prisons. Since we don't have that requirement, youth convicted of a crime will get the structure and the adult supervision they need in prison.
This is a stunning article. Not sure if it’s terrible or great - but it’s not neutral. Please followup with further thoughts.
I’ve got all sorts of reactions swirling around my mind.
In the end, I don’t see how it is possible to help “troubled” youth without case specific judgement with the power to marshal resources and impose consequences. It has to be at an individual level - I don’t see how to design “rules” or programs that can be mechanically applied to everyone.
Oregon is but a medium-sized state, but voters passed a “Serious crime, serious time” initiative that mandated sentences ranging from 6 years for child molestation to 25 years for murder for older teenagers. The law was a major success and contributed to major declines in the worst crime by older teenagers.
Giving probation to a 17 year old who commits an armed robbery is doing neither the community or the young thug any favors.
"While I’m not sure I concur with his recommendations—I need to think about it further"
This is something we need more of in the world.
How about military service as an alternative to prison time? I've never been in the military, but former soldiers I know talk about how the discipline and training have served them well in civilian life. Such a program would exclude inductees with murder and violent assault convictions. But for others, such training might be a real benefit.
That used to be a choice sometimes given to low-level offenders, but after the draft was abolished, that practice was gone too.
I was in the Army for 20 years, and it was not particularly uncommon to encounter someone who felt that the Army turned their life around by offering an escape from “the hood” or some “backwater” rural town with little to no prospects. The training, job experience, mentors, discipline, general positive environment, and exposure to a world far beyond their little enclave showed so many possibilities many never dreamed of. That said, you have to join before you find yourself involved with the legal system because once you’re convicted, you’re most likely no longer qualified for enlistment. The military is not a social service experiment nor are they equipped to be.
In my imagination, I see parents and students being held accountable for school attendance, disruptive students being removed from the classroom (at any age), and no student progressing to the next grade without achieving the standards of their
I see disciplinary problems being dealt with in a military-like fashion. Bad behavior is nipped in the bud, consequences delivered quickly. That goes for the adults, too. Screaming parents, no. Misbehaving school administrators, no.
Children who meet standards are encouraged, rewarded, and held up as shining examples to be proud of and to be proud of themselves. A life that is enviable and attainable for all. Little kids might set the best examples.
Essentially, the same thing for young adults who are now in the prison system. Maybe a 60-90 day halfway house before they enter general population with a kind of military boot camp, classes in life skills, physical training, counseling, aptitude tests, skills and interests explored. After this training the “recruits” have two options, two exit doors. One door leads to a program of school, work, discipline, achievement, graduation, etc., and the other door leads to prison.
And, for God’s sake, clean up those schools, stop justifying and excusing crime, at least act like you care about these people. That would be such a help to the folks who actually do care. I’m lookin’ at you, King Randal on X.
By the way, successful completion of a program like this wouldn’t reflect prison time, it would be indicative of the hole these folks had to climb out of and still reach the heights of graduation.
Love, PollyAnna 💕
Lock them up for their own good? I'm a Robert Cherry fan, but this essay is too focused on criminals. More attention needs to be paid to crime victims and the impacts of crime on the broader society. Consider the story of Issa Prescott, the owner of a restaurant in Atlanta that's been broken into five times in the past two years. Here are two news reports from this weekend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7o0pGsVUcY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhBrNreAxjw
Here's a description from the first video:
"Life Bistro, a vegan restaurant in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood, has been targeted at least five times in the past two years, according to CEO and executive chef Issa Prescott. Security videos show thieves hurling rocks through the glass doors and attempting to force their way inside. Prescott said cash, iPads, point-of-sale systems, and even a manager’s work shoes have been stolen."
Prescott's trying to keep his young restaurant afloat in a neighborhood that doesn't have many healthy food options.. Young thieves, however, have hurt his business to such an extent that the glass company that charges him $1,000 every time his front door is damaged offers him discounts as a repeat customer. He set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of a metal roll-down gate that will help protect his business:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/secure-our-restaurant-prevent-breakins?attribution_id=sl:612d439e-3ded-431f-8999-8c30d001dd27&lang=en_US&ts=1751729781&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_t2-amp15_t3&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&v=amp14_t2
Other businesses in the same strip shopping center have had to buy roll-down gates as well (see second news video). One of the few that didn't closed after their last burglary.
Prescott employs 15 people. He grew up in Sylvan Hills and his mother lives near his restaurant. He's committed to his community, but his ability to absorb losses isn't limitless. Many small business owners who endured five break-ins within two years would close shop and move to safer places.
Young offenders and their parents should be forced to make at least partial restitution to the victims of their crimes. They may not have the resources to cover the full costs of their actions, but they should be forced to make restitution based upon their ability to pay. The courts can make those determinations.
As others have pointed out, young offenders should also be incentivized to learn marketable skills while behind bars so they can earn an honest living once they're released. This could involve a shorter period of incarceration and a transition to a supervised halfway house while the young offender lands a full-time job and demonstrates that they can be a productive member of society.
Another thing happening in my part of the country is parents being held criminally liable if their children access unsecured weapons and commit violent crimes.
Discussions about this topic need to extend well beyond what's best for offenders.
<<Perhaps I’m overestimating the benefits of prison discipline and skill development.>>
No, you are not! Great article. Key obstacle will be getting the funding to increase the number and diversity and quality "skill development" programs. And the incentives to enage in and complete them. Something like the Boy Scouts' merit badges. Get to Eagle rank and fly free.
Just a thought. If the U.S. required some type of mandatory service for young people (men and women), either the military, community service organizations, a new program, there might be a lot less need for prisons. Since we don't have that requirement, youth convicted of a crime will get the structure and the adult supervision they need in prison.
This is a stunning article. Not sure if it’s terrible or great - but it’s not neutral. Please followup with further thoughts.
I’ve got all sorts of reactions swirling around my mind.
In the end, I don’t see how it is possible to help “troubled” youth without case specific judgement with the power to marshal resources and impose consequences. It has to be at an individual level - I don’t see how to design “rules” or programs that can be mechanically applied to everyone.
Oregon is but a medium-sized state, but voters passed a “Serious crime, serious time” initiative that mandated sentences ranging from 6 years for child molestation to 25 years for murder for older teenagers. The law was a major success and contributed to major declines in the worst crime by older teenagers.
Giving probation to a 17 year old who commits an armed robbery is doing neither the community or the young thug any favors.