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Monique Sedgwick, Jeffrey MacCormack, and Lance Grigg report via AlterNet
Sentencing practices for youth who engage in non-violent crimes have traditionally adopted a punitive approach--for example, ordering time in a juvenile detention centre. However, research suggests that punitive models have little impact on reducing the chances of reoffending.
In fact, punitive sentencing[PDF] can result in poor social outcomes, low rates of employment, and higher school dropout rates.
Some people suggest a more rehabilitative approach to sentencing is needed. For example, youth could be sentenced to programs that provide opportunities for developing life skills and establishing more positive relationships. This may result in increased levels of self-confidence, reducing the chance of reoffending.[PDF]
Alternate sentencing initiatives focus on fair sentencing practices that are appropriate and support the reintegration of youth back into the community.
Within the Young Offenders Branch of the Alberta government and the [Canadian] province's Assistant Deputy Minister's office, there is a movement towards alternate sentencing for youth involved in non-violent crimes. As a result, Alberta's Ministry of Justice and the faculties of education and health sciences at the University of Lethbridge have teamed up to deliver a unique program as an alternate sentence: Chess for Life.
Chess for Life is a 25-hour chess instruction program lead by longtime chess players Dr. Lance Grigg and assistants Riley Kostek and Josh Markle. Youth learn opening, middle, and end-game strategies while playing the program leaders and each other.
While the youth may not know it, they also are developing skills in reasoning, problem-solving, paying attention, planning, focusing, and decision-making.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @03:28AM (2 children)
Lies! Fake news! Everyone knows the solution to reducing crime is harsh penalties (see past 2000 years for details) and the solution to every problem is hard labor and brute force (see military for details). Unless you inherit a fortune in which case you create jobs by snorting coke and fucking high grade whores.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday May 26 2018, @04:07AM
And paying them $130,000 to keep silent.
(Score: -1, Troll) by realDonaldTrump on Saturday May 26 2018, @04:27AM
New York, we have a big, beautiful park in Manhattan, it's called Central Park. Which is famous for my fabulous ice rink, I call it Wollman Rink. Big money maker for me. But unfortunately it's also famous for a terrible crime. Let me tell you, there was a banker. Trisha Meili. And she thought she'd go for a jog in the park. But 5 strapping young bucks mugged her. Put her in a coma. And raped her, front and back. But our incredible NYPD caught them. And those teenage thugs confessed. Every one of them.
And I put a full-page ad in the New York Times, Daily News, New York Post and Newsday -- at my own expense. I said, "BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY. BRING BACK THE POLICE! I want to hate these muggers and murderers. They should be forced to suffer and, when they kill, they should be executed for their crimes. They must serve as examples so that others will think long and hard before committing a crime or an act of violence." And let me tell you, my ad worked beautifully, folks really paid attention to it. Because I was the most successful businessman New York ever had -- and I still am. It worked beautifully at first. The rapists pleaded not guilty, they were guilty. And the jury said they were guilty, they were convicted. They were doing their sentences. They didn't get the death penalty, unfortunately. But they were locked up very well. Then DA Morgenthau says, let's reverse this. And he talked a judge into reversing it. Those animals were released onto the streets. They sued the city for many millions of dollars. And the city settled with them for many millions. It's disgraceful. They admitted they were guilty. The police doing the original investigation say they were guilty. But a VERY WEAK District Attorney canceled the whole thing. The fact that that case was settled with so much evidence against them is outrageous. Settling doesn’t mean innocence, but it indicates incompetence on several levels. It's the HEIST OF THE CENTURY, folks!