NY must raise age of criminal responsibility
March 30, 2015
Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently introduced a new campaign aimed at reforming how the New York state justice system treats juvenile offenders. The campaign, aptly titled Raise the Age, aims to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 18. New York City is currently one of only two states that automatically prosecutes teenagers ages 16 and up as adults. The current practice is unacceptable as it results in teenagers being placed in adult prisons, where they are more likely to suffer abuse at the hands of older inmates and prison staff than those over 18.
When it comes to the treatment of juvenile offenders, this is hardly the first time New York State prisons have generated controversy. Just last year the federal government released a report that detailed “a deep-seated culture of violence” perpetrated by prison staff against young inmates at Rikers Island. In addition, until January of this year inmates under the age of 21 were often subjected to “excessive and inappropriate” solitary confinement. While banning this practice is a positive change, it does not lessen the fact that putting youth in adult prisons can be incredibly harmful to their development.
In terms of cognitive development, 16- and 17-year-olds still have a way to go. It has been proven that brains are not fully formed until age 25. Many teenagers lack both the full ability to exercise impulse control and the foresight to completely comprehend the consequences of their actions. Furthermore, children at this stage are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure, resulting in poor decision making. It is illogical and ineffective to punish someone who has not yet fully matured in the same way an older criminal is punished.
When serving in adult prisons, youth are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted, two times as likely to be hurt by prison staff and eight times more likely to commit suicide than youth housed in juvenile facilities. These young offenders would be far better served by improved rehabilitation programs and more community-based services, especially considering 86 percent of all youth offenders in New York are accused and convicted of non-violent crimes. Such programs would also benefit the general public in terms of reducing future crime — youths prosecuted as adults have a 26 percent higher chance of recidivism than those processed as juveniles.
New York spends $100 million annually to house youth in detention and placement, money that would be better spent exploring alternate options. A child of 16 or 17 is still quite receptive to education and positive change, in a way that adults often are not. It is time for New York to Raise the Age, and to begin more fairly penalizing young teenagers.
Opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
A version of this article appeared in the Monday, March 30 print edition. Email Annie Cohen at [email protected].
joyce • Mar 30, 2015 at 5:18 pm
The age should be raised, it should have been raised long ago. Prison is not helping any child and that is what they are, is children. My child has been in prison since 16. She has mental health and behavorial issues. This person has spent most of her time in the box and in keep lock and always has tickets and is always targeted. She is being punished for her mental health issues which I may add she has had all her life. If the state cares so much for these youths why is this allowed to happen over and over again with the same results. Girls like my daughter always are in the box, are always getting tickets, always get there good time taken from them, always told how bad they are. They take a child with adhd and put her in the box for a year, guess what comes out, a half crazed more messed up angry kid. The suicide rate for these youths is pretty high as I know personally another girl who was put in at 17 who ended up going back in and commiting suicide. There has to be a better way to handle youths than throwing them away, because that is what I feel like New York State did to my daughter.
Gloria E. Saenz • Mar 30, 2015 at 12:34 pm
I agree with governor Cuomo. The juvenile system needs to be reformed. It is hard to deal with teens. It is hard for a parent to meet children’s spectations these days. Children grow up to seek evertything they see in T.V., the movies, and so on.
We need to change the system but the change must begin inside out. Change the way children and teens think of themselves. We shoud avoid making too many mistakes by following a path. Go to school, learn skills, work, go to the church of your denomination and have a life not necessarily an avobe average living.
If they do not want to spend too much time in school, take a vocational career and earn a living. What ever it is. Do what you like and brings you satisfaction. I can hardly think someone is happy committing crimes. I hope I am wrong.
As for those who like to robe people of their dignity, they have to be trained to respect others cultures and believes. i know if we do good, it comes back to us too. They do need to change too. The problem is I heard that people who are in jail for a long time and do not marital relations, they start overreacting and overheating. Guards deal with this alterations and altercations. I heard they let the people in jail get together and have their energy out with who ever they want from those who are in confinment. These is not appropriate. Can you let them see someone they like and approve? I mean if the relationship is consensual, it won’t be derogatory. No contracts need to be written. Just an idea.
Thank you Mr. Cuomo.