North Carolina remains one of only two states that automatically prosecute all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults – even for an infraction as minor as stealing a bag of Doritos.
We agree that wrongs deserve consequences; however, our state’s outdated system does far more harm than good. It exposes children to the influence of seasoned adult criminals. It also saddles them with an adult criminal record, which often cuts short opportunities for gainful employment and higher education.
In short, our system puts our children at risk in ways unknown in 48 other states.
A common-sense proposal in the General Assembly would “Raise the Age” of youth jurisdiction, so that 16 and 17-year-olds who commit misdemeanors are handled in the juvenile system. There, they would learn their lesson, pay their dues and be able to get on with leading productive lives that contribute to society.
Meantime, children convicted of more serious crimes would remain in the adult system.
Our juvenile system is actually stricter, better suited to doling out meaningful consequences to young offenders and compelling them to stay on the right track.
Most youthful offenders – 86 percent – in the adult system receive probation because of the minor crimes they commit. The probation system places few demands on offenders, potentially allowing them to commit other, more serious crimes.
A child jailed as an adult is more than twice as likely to commit another crime as one who is incarcerated in the juvenile system. And youthful offenders who go through the adult system are re-arrested, re-convicted and re-incarcerated at higher rates than other adult offenders.
There’s no get-out-jail-free-card in the juvenile justice system. It includes frequent contact with court officers, assessments, rehabilitative services and education. It also involves families – our most powerful institution – in keeping young people on the right path.
We all benefit when people who have committed minor indiscretions are able to pick themselves back up and lead productive lives.
The costs of incarcerating 16 and 17-year-olds in adult jails is far more expensive in the long-term than providing them with age-appropriate services, treatment and punishment near their home communities A study by the North Carolina Youth Accountability Planning Task Force found that the state could avoid spending $50 million a year by Raising the Age based on lower recidivism rates and fewer youth carrying around an adult criminal record.
At a time when our budgets are stretched so thin, why would we continue to invest in an outmoded justice system that only perpetuates a cycle of dependency and despair?
During Juvenile Justice Week of Faith, which begins March 4, clergy and congregations around the country will reflect and pray on all many matters regarding the rehabilitation and healing of our young people. Many of those issues are thorny and intransigent. One issue is clear and solvable. In North Carolina let us recalibrate the age of juvenile jurisdiction.
Hope Morgan Ward is bishop of the N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bruce Stanley is president of the Methodist Home for Children.