Daniel makes stuff, and, in his spare time, writes about things like movies, kid culture, and geek stuff.
"It's More of a Systemic Problem."

The Los Angeles Times reports on a new federal study – the first of its kind – that found about 3 out of every 25 youths in state and privately run juvenile correctional facilities have experienced at least one incident of sexual victimization.

The study, which is the first of its kind, brings attention to the need for more training and accountability for staff members at such facilities, said Linda McFarlane, deputy executive director of Just Detention International, a nonprofit human rights organization that works on preventing abuse in detention centers.

“It’s more of a systemic problem,” she said. […] “When we put kids in custody and staff has absolute power and control over what happens to those kids, it is crucial that very careful mechanisms to check that power are put into place.”

Absolutely shameful. But I think even more concerting is the punitive stance we hold toward youth that allows for juvenile correctional facilities to be as they are in the first place. It’s fundamentally opposite to the principles of human rights, and I believe we should adopt a more welfare-based approach like much of Europe – that emphasises the societal structures and motivations that would lead youth to commit crimes to begin with.

Jan 08, 2010 :: Tagged under: , , :: #