the crime report

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The system is failing thousands of our most vulnerable youth. Is it time for reform?

The U.S. spends $5 billion a year on juvenile corrections, but it’s hard to argue that taxpayers are getting what they paid for.  Many criminologists already agree that the country’s criminal justice system is overdue for reform; but no area seems more in need of urgent attention than juvenile justice.

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Juveniles that commit crimes using weapons are brought directly to adult court facing more serious charges and jail time, a recent study, “JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND WEAPONS,” by the New York City Criminal Justice Agency found. In addition, juveniles with a gun charge were more likely to have a previous offense (over 50 percent) and almost 80 per cent were l rearrested within four years.

Read the study.

Use The Crime Report for more information on Juvenile Justice.

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Once a week for the next two months, The Crime Report will publish writing by young people incarcerated in Illinois. “Looking In, Looking Out: Reflections of Youth Changing Their Lives” was compiled by the John Howard Association of Illinois and features poetry, essays and artwork.

This week, we feature a poem by L.R.,18-years -old.

Fly like a bird
Somehow I know
There’s a place that can show
There’s no more struggling
Free of all suffering
For one who cares enough for me
To erase all of my burdens and let me be free
So I’m gonna fly like a bird, take to the sky
I need you now Lord, carry me high
Don’t let this world break me tonight
Come be my father and hold me tight
This world can be so cold
When you have no one to hold
Will this world ever be
A place of peace and harmony
With no more war and brutality
If we loved each other, we could find victory
It seems that everyone wants to fight
And not settle for the things that are right
If we stop hurtin’ one another
And just stick together
We wouldn’t have to worry about each other’s race
Cause that wouldn’t be the case
If we just manage to stay out of each other’s face
This world would be a better place
So I’m gonna fly like a bird, take to the sky
I need you now Lord, carry me high
I know that I’m not alone
That’s why I’m still so strong
As long as you’re here
There is nothin’ I should fear
Somehow I know there’s a person up above
That can give and fill me with so much love
So it’s time I stop bein’ so ungrateful
And start bein’ more thankful
So I’m gonna fly like a bird, take to the sky
But we all need you, so carry us high
L.R., 18