President and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation Patrick McCarthy has asked states to consider closing down their youth prisons. In his TEDx talk, he spoke of the detrimental effects these prisons have on young people. McCarthy said states can produce better outcomes for young people who get into trouble with the law, and they should commit to three things: First, decrease the number of youth going into juvenile systems by half; second, improve existing systems by expanding community-based and family-centered programs proven to help kids who have the most serious problems; and third, eliminate all publicly operated and contracted youth prisons and instead use small, treatment-intensive secure care programs. He believes that youth prisons are inherently flawed and speaks against a model heavy on isolation, restraints, and excessive force by staff. McCarthy implores states to close down these prisons and offers the support of his foundation in any such endeavors. Do you think McCarthy has the right idea?
For more info: http://www.aecf.org/blog/annie-e-casey-foundation-ceo-calls-for-states-to-close-youth-prisons/