Boot Camp

The recent story of the boy who was "beaten" at boot camp and then died raises questions about juvenile adjudication. The articles indicate that a blood disease, not physical trauma, was the proximate cause of his death. This tragedy, thought it may be unrelated to his means of incarceration, is shedding light and sparking debate over the merits of such facilities.

This boot camp was explained as an alternative to incarceration. Such juvenile facilities are often referred to as an alternative to being "locked up," while in reality they are still a prison of sorts -- just by another name (such as a "residential school"). There may very well be some alternatives to prison that can provide juveniles with more opportunities for success in the future, but there should be a larger effort to ensure that juveniles are not condemned to failure upon their adjudication as delinquent.

Facilities such as this boot camp, and even more straightforward juvenile jails must provide education. Perhaps, removed from the distractions of their daily lives, these troubled youths can learn, grow, and better themselves. Since the early 1900s with the advent of the juvenile justice system the idea was not to punish youths, but to have the state act as parens patriae -- where has that focus gone?

While it seems that this child, unfortunately, was the victim of a horrible disease, the conversations have begun. Reconsideration of the facilities for juveniles is a real concern for a voice-less class in our society.