Youngsters and Incarceration

The author's intended audience for the editorial Better Care for Young Offenders is directly aimed towards the states. The author even stating at the end of the editorial saying, "Mr. Listenbee should encourage the states to lock up fewer young people." I believe the author's credibility was to be just that, credible. He brought up some very interesting facts up about the punishment of juveniles and the effects of the harsh punishment. He argues that if state would change the policies of juvenile punishment to investing more in community rehabilitation instead of incarceration; then the juveniles would have better success in life in the long run. The author uses a few percent values and numbers value for his evidence, to support his claim that as more states change their policies the rate of incarcerated juveniles is becoming reduced. There is great logic in this editorial, I mean why would states incarcerate the youth? I completely agree with this author, I to understand there will be some juveniles that may need to be behind bars like ones that commit murder or rape. But I definitely think there should be an alternative method of punishment before incarcerating a juvenile. Becoming involved with the community and making positive changes with family like through counseling or self-improvement classes could benefit the youth offenders greatly.