Child Offenders, Punishments for

Tina - posted on 03/29/2012

If a person show remorse then I'd say show some leniency but as long as they don't they shouldn't be out walking the streets.

Sherri - posted on 03/28/2012

My friends are fostering to adopt their foster son is literally a Psychopath. They have since had him removed from the home and have him placed in a special home to deal with him. I am still worried that he is going to hunt them down and some point in his life and kill them all especially since they kept his little sister. He is only 11yrs old. I think some children at this age the best things for them is to lock them up because they can and will kill if given the opportunity.



They had to search him all the time for weapons where they found knives, scissors anything he literally could get his hands on. Would injure the household pets by jamming items up their rectums, slamming their heads. They had to install locks on all bedroom doors so the kids could lock themselves in at night so they knew this boy couldn't kill them while they slept.

Janice - posted on 03/28/2012

I think every situation is different. There are times when a child commits a horrendous crime but really has no understanding of what they did. Last June a 5 year old girl drowned her 18 month old brother because he wouldnt stop crying. The babysitter was sleeping. I dont know how it all played out but in cases like that I dont think the child had any clue what she was rally doing. But then in the story that Jenni shared, which is horrifying, its obvious that these 10 year old have serious psychiatric issues that needed to be addressed. I find it hard to believe that they could ever not be a threat.



I think that it shouldnt be automatic that a minor gets a minimal punishment for being a minor. A 14 year old who commits sexual assault may never be rehabilitated but I think we should try. Maybe the 16 year old that committed murder for his gang did so out of fear and can be changed by getting away from that life. Then again maybe he is just a psycho that will never change, its really hard to say.

Jodi - posted on 03/28/2012

Tina, with that case, I am in the camp where, while they may have understood what they were doing, at that age, death is an abstract concept. At 10 or 11 years of age, a child isn't capable of abstract thinking (although there are always extreme exceptions to the rule). Having said that, however, I do believe those children obviously have a very real psychological problem caused by god knows what. Kids aren't born with that violent nature. Children who do something like that do need to be dealt with accordingly, but not treated as if an adult under the criminal justice system. It needs an entirely different method of management.

Jodi - posted on 03/28/2012

Children have not yet developed the higher order cognitive thinking of an adult (and some adults never reach that point either). I don'[t believe any child should be treated as an adult under any criminal justice system until they are at LEAST 16, but in general, 18 (Between 16 and 18, the decision to treat them as an adult should be considered by a judge based on various factors, including the nature of the crime, the individual characteristics of the child, the likelihood of the crime being committed again, etc). My opinion is based purely on potential cognitive capabilities.

Tina - posted on 03/27/2012

I have to state things like this really do bother me basically because so much abuse has happened in my family. I also have a little boy going on 2 two. And unfortunately I visualise what I read and hear. It's a real curse. Because when I read this story I'm also thinking of my little boy. It really breaks my heart. It reminds you that in a moment everything can be taken away from you. I couldn't imagine what the mother of this child has gone through. I would never sleep another night if this happened to my child. An act like this even from a 10 or 11 year old is inexcusable. I made mistakes as a child that I feel remorse for. They clearly intended to harm this child. They knew what they were doing was wrong but they didn't care.

Tina - posted on 03/27/2012

I also stated earlier they should be looking into the childs own family and background to see whether or not abuse has gone on at home. Obviously circumstances should taken into account and rehabilitation. But cases like Jenni put up I don't see why they should ever get out of jail and live a normal life after a crime like that. Even a 10 year old has some right or wrong. If it were a case of killing an abuser or something then that would be a different matter. Even with councelling and rehabilitation. These people had no remorse. Doesn't matter what their age. If they have no remorse even later in life they are still a danger to society. The only difference is they'll try harder not to get caught.

Tina - posted on 03/27/2012

I was referring to the post jenni put up and the problem is like someone I know without going into details. committed a child sex crime a week prior to his 16th birthday. Basically because he hasn't turned 16 he more than likely wont go on the child sex offender register If he was actually 16 would he would. Which means he will still be able to attend any school.

Jen - posted on 03/27/2012

So if a 7 year old commits murder, they should be in prison forever?

Tina - posted on 03/25/2012

An adult crime deserves an adult punishment

Jenni - posted on 03/25/2012

Not to mention, they are generally smaller and weaker than the general prison population; it leaves them open for abuse from adult prison members. My concern would be sexual abuse from other inmates which would turn more kids 100x worse than when they entered prison and is a horrendous crime within itself.



I think depending on the severity of the crime however, they should be held more accountable for their actions. There are some horrific crimes committed by young children. This one stands out in my mind where two 10 year old boys, lured a 2 year old and sexually assaulted, tortured, beat him and eventually killed him in the MOST horrific way. This story literally turns my stomach inside out. Especially, considering the first time I read it my son was 2 years old himself. Read at your own risk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_J...



In all honesty, I wouldn't want these boys getting out *ever*. Their crimes were so inexcusable and brutal. The pair were released after 8 years. In cases like this, I would love to see them relocated to an adult prison once they turn 18 to serve a remainder of their sentence.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 03/25/2012

I agree if it is a heinous crime, they should have very strict repercussion. Rehab may not be enough for these kids. There are some instances where there needs to be more than a heavfty rehab. Sexual assualt? Yeah, they should be getting much more than they do.



My only issue with them going to prison is that often many people, especially younger people, learn many more negative tactics then what they knew before going in. They come out full of rage and commit much worse crime.



Although, the young offender system currently, seriously needs a revamping. It is not helping those that are seriously disturbed. It may help the petty crime kids but not the kids that commit much more serious crimes.

Tina - posted on 03/25/2012

Ironic relatives of mine are dealing with a situation like this now. And so did I as a kid. I live in Australia. As a 6 year long story short I was living in queensland. I was molested by a 15 year old boy I trusted. Police treated it like a joke he was simply told he wasn't to go near the caravan park where I lived. We moved away from the area. I'm now 24. Without going into details I consider myself lucky the thing that bothers me is he is still out there and another poor young girl or girls have possibly been victims. I can't comment on the other case I mentioned as it's the issue is still being assessed and yet to go through court. But the law isn't good enough. An Uncle of mine was being monitored for roughly 4 years by FEDS. I recall him saying people were monitoring his phone calls and watching him. We just thought he was being paraniod. We'd been taking him to doctors appoinments and shopping as he had some health issues. One day the, we weren't there thankfully the FEDS raided his house. He had over 1000 images of child porn on his computer. My dad was called into the police station in the waiting room listening. He thought he'd deleted alot of it but it still stays on the hard drive. Alot of other stuff came out in court we were all shocked and angry. He only got 3 years with 18 months non parole. He passed away shortly after getting out of jail from a heart attack so he'll never be able to do it again but there are so many others out there. Many nights I've stayed awake crying knowing there are kids out there being abused they could be next door for all we know and very little is being done to protect them There needs to be more to stop this, yes rehabilitation, looking closely at a persons lifestyle including their family members because for all we know it could be going on in their home. There needs to be tougher penalties for these crimes. I know so many cases where these crimes are basically treated as a joke. Basically the victim becomes a victim once again it's heartbreaking. It's harsh but for clear cut cases I'd sooner they took a bullet. I have my own kids and I think to myself if I ever even thought about doing anything to them I'd shoot myself why should somebody else suffer especially a child who can't protect themself, while these monsters get minimal jail and find new ways of not getting caught and can keep doing it. Do everyone a favour and put them out of their misery. I'm sorry but I child sex offenders with a passion.

Sarah - posted on 03/25/2012

hi, i live in scotland and the laws are no better here, i have a friend for example whom ive known for 10 years, he was recently jailed there for 3 years for having sex with a 13 year old (thank god he wasnt around my child) he also had over 4000 images of children on his computer which were of the highest abuse. he was sentenced to 3 years but got out after only a year and a half. he was supposed to be on the sex offenders register for life and yet is only on it till 2015.

he is not allowed to be online at all yet on my suggestion list on facebook he always pops up, i have reported this to facebook and yet they have done nothing.



its a disgrace and he will probably get jailed again if he does the same thing.



its a disgrace

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 03/25/2012

Tracey---



If it is a serious crime then put in strict facility which I would like to see run by the military whose regime should sort out most young offenders.



I like that idea! I think that would be a great way to correct those young offenders that commit serious crimes. A military type facility would definitely bring some correction.

Tracey - posted on 03/25/2012

If the crime is not too serious and due to bad upbringing they should be fostered while they and their parents are re-educated.

If it is a serious crime then put in strict facility which I would like to see run by the military whose regime should sort out most young offenders.

Ruby - posted on 03/24/2012

I think that the juvenille justice system is a joke and oftentimes so is the adult justice system. Too often, the offenders have more rights than the victims.



For any violent crimes or those of a sexual nature; I say throw the book at them regardless of the age.



If they are juveniles and teh parents have done nothing to correct their childs problems, throw the book at them as well.



No, I do not think that all criminals are a product of environment but more often than not, it is their upbringing.