The topic of juvenile crimes and detention has been a very sensitive one in the past few years, with many people taking extreme positions on whether or not minors should be tried like adults and eventually taken to adult prisons. In this case, it is best to look at the situation from both sides, but most importantly, I believe that the victims should be given more attention, depending on how grave the offense may be.
Many crimes committed by minors are usually against children in their age group or younger, and one thing to note is that there are factors that influence such actions. Most children learn very quickly, so it makes sense that whatever behavior they see often becomes part of their foundational learning. For instance, it would be unrealistic to think that a child who lives in an environment where violence is normalized will grow up being less violent. Those who turn out differently are the exception, not the rule.
There is also a need for us to realize that minors are called minors for a reason. They are in their formative years, and most of the actions they engage in comes from a place of curiosity without full understanding of the consequences. Given these factors, asking for minors to be tried like adults does not feel right. In fact, if we begin to treat minors as adults in the justice system, it means we have ignored the underlying causes of their actions which stops everyone from seeing them as products of neglect, abuse, and lack of proper guidance.
In Nigeria, juvenile crimes are often treated to rehabilitation, and that is exactly what I believe underage offenders need. These centers focus on providing guidance and counseling, mental health services, and vocational training to minors who have committed crimes. All of these encourage accountability and change because at the end of their stay there, many of them no longer have an interest in committing crimes. Instead, they are better groomed, educated about their actions and consequences, and equipped with the necessary skills to become useful members of the society.
Sending child offenders for rehabilitation is also the most effective way of protecting society from potential harm while also preventing them from losing their morality at such a young age. It works because it is easier to reform the mindset of kids compared to adults, who already understand the consequences of their actions and still choose to proceed with them.
Another reason why it is a bad idea for minors to be tried as adults is that it automatically places them in adult prisons. If you understand the conditions of such facilities in a country like Nigeria, you would see this as an unfair punishment. These minors would be subjected to adult treatment, which again reflects a failure of society. Research also shows that children placed in adult prisons face a higher risk of harm and have lower chances of successful rehabilitation compared to those in juvenile centers where possible abuse and bullying is less common.
It is also important to note that regardless of whether juvenile offenders are tried as adults or sent to rehabilitation centers, the victims will continue to live with the trauma until they receive proper care and attention. This is why I strongly advocate for therapy, especially when the crime affects their mental health or prevents them from carrying out their daily activities.
It is only when victims receive full support and timely therapy that they can begin to see the world differently and understand that such experiences can happen to anyone. It is never a swift or easy journey, but over time, their trauma and grief can become less, which is the ultimate aim of prioritizing victims in these situations.
In conclusion, I believe there should be no erasure of crimes committed by minors. Those records should remain public regardless of rehabilitation or sentence served at a latter age, as this promotes long-term accountability. So while rehabilitation remains the best solution for juvenile crimes, it should not mean erasure. Keeping these records public not only benefits our society, it also helps the victims feel seen and supported, knowing that accountability has not and will never be removed from their offenders.
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