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 Due to the townhouse density in Ward 6, many of us have the pleasure of seeing our neighbors leaving for and returning from work. We share both the pleasures and difficulties that close proximity to each other garners. Many of my neighbors know that I work with Tommy Wells, so I am frequently the go to person that they contact when something unusual happens on our block.
Recently, one of my neighbors told me that a teenager brandishing a gun, robbed him at gunpoint very near to my home. He indicated that he was tired of hearing about teenagers committing crimes and that the District government should do something about it. He mentioned that the person who robbed him was between 14 and 17 and slight of build. However wisely, my neighbor had chosen not to confront the teen upon seeing the weapon that he had in hand. His recommendation for District policy was that the key be thrown away for both teens and adults found guilty of using a gun in a crime. He asked what would happen to a teen arrested on a gun charge. I responded that frequently teens so charged are tried as adults.
On Friday, August 10, 2007, an editorial was published in the Washington Post titled “Jailing Juveniles”. The editorial mentioned that in the District, the average daily count of juveniles being held in adult jail before trial has nearly tripled in the past year and that studies have shown that children incarcerated in adult jails are more likely to be arrested again and to commit graver new offenses. The editorial indicated that juveniles placed in DC Jail awaiting trial are kept apart from adults, but benefit from little rehabilitative programming or the structure provided by juvenile detention centers. The Post Editorial conclusion was that exposing troubled children to less structured and more dangerous adult jails can only harden them and lead to more crime, more arrests and more expensive imprisonment. Jailing juveniles in adult facilities is a bad investment of public funds and worsen troubled American youths.
The District Department on Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) is the Agency responsible for overseeing youth who have been arrested as youth and held at the District’s Youth Correction Facility or at secured detention youth residences. DYRS is currently cooperating in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) with representatives of Family Court, the Office of the Attorney General, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and others. The goal of the JDAI workgroup is to make better use of alternatives to secure detention and reduce dependence on secured confinement for youth awaiting trial while protecting public safety.
Councilmember Wells has been working with DYRS, JDAI and the Family Court in the hope that a greater number of youth arrested in the District will be able to receive supportive services rather than be confined at adult facilities while awaiting the outcome of their trail. The answer to stopping youth violence is not to throw a key or a troubled life away. To stem the tide of youth violence our first step must be to provide a helping hand of compassion to the victim and well as the teens who have chosen to take a destructive course in their road to adulthood. Crimes committed at an early age are truly signs of children who have faced years of neglect by parents and in some cases government institutions. Alternatives are needed to incarcerating youth in adult facilities. We have heard from the editor’s of the Post and we would welcome your suggestions. What do you feel should be expected from parents whose children are found to be breaking the law, what role should the government play in expanding services to victims of crimes and youth who commit crimes, what role should the schools, churches or community organizations play? We look forward to hearing from you.
Readers have left 2 comments. (1) Untitled
2007-08-21 10:51:34
I am currently an employee at DYRS and my concern is that while we do not want to lock up the kids and throw away the key we also want to provide structure for the kids who are breaking the law. While majority of our kids have family challenges in life that they are enduring we still have the responsibility to ensure the public safety at all times. I am a great supportive of rehabilitating our youth, I am also a supportive of structure and discipline. Providing structure and discilpline would also encourage our children to be held accountable and responsible for their actions. During my 3 year tenure with this agency I have noticed that the our kids are returning as quickly as they are being released. Is this because their is nothing in place to hold them accountable for their actions? Is this because we do not have the proper programs in place to rehabilitate our kids? Or is it because NO one listens to the staff that work with our children everyday?
Respectfully submitted
Yeetta Ward
(202)576-8418
(2) Untitled
2009-01-26 16:01:01 There's a reason why ancient proverbs prevail...
They are the description of the principles of truth & reality. Principles are unchanging.
It hard for politicians to sidestep the truth of the adage,
"The Acorn never falls far from the tree,"
and Senator Patrick Moynihan's truth of,
"What you subsidize you WILL get more of."
Therefore,
if politicians want MORE criminals which will cause MORE problems, so they can create bigger police departments and a bigger bureaucracy to "solve" the crime problems THEY create, (all to appease their egos)
well then,
keep the education system in permanent
melt-down/destruction mode and keep promoting more welfare and keep people trapped therein.
Nearly all (citizen) criminals are the product of the govt welfare system & welfare ghettos. How can any elected official without a twisted mind look in the mirror each morning and believe they are doing good for their city and their recipients by keeping them in 4th & 5th generation welfare bondage ?
Do politicians want more criminals ?
If the answer is YES then stoke the fires of welfare.
If the answer is NO, what is the obvious answer ?
These are the immutable facts of life that the Senator understood so well.
Sincerely,
Rich Heller
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