NC Raise the Age

NC Raise the Age 

Growing up as a child, how often did you hear, “you are not an adult until you turn 18?” I think we all have. Unfortunately, it seems that lawmakers missed that conversation growing up because for many years that was not the case in the court of law. In fact, children were routinely prosecuted as adults in North Carolina. Therefore, the Raise the Age Law was so desperately needed.

The Raise the Age Law, a law to raise the legal criminal adult age to 18 was passed in 2019. This was a great victory for children and those who care for them because this law allowed the criminal justice system to treat children as children, instead of hardened adult criminals. It gave children a chance to be rehabilitated and receive the services needed to grow, mature, and learn from their mistakes. 

 This law was a victory for social workers everywhere, who have believed the science surrounding child development and knew teens did not make decisions with the same logic and self-control as adults. As social workers we will continue to fight for programs that help children before and after they make mistakes. As social workers we will support any legislation that makes this a better world for all people, especially those that are often forgotten, so for this social worker, “Raise the Age”, was needed and it’s deeply appreciated. 

2.  Juveniles in NC who have been charged as adults. Write it as a case study. 

 Juveniles in North Carolina that have been charged as adults do not belong in jail or prison with adults. According to the Equal Justice Initiatives, “children in adult prisons are more likely to be sexually assaulted, physically abused, or commit suicide. Studies have shown that juveniles placed in adult prison are nine times more likely to commit suicide than the ones who are placed in juvenile facilities,” (Children in Adult Prison, 2020). These statistics are extremely alarming to hear considering every state in America has the capacity to house juveniles separately from adults but refuse to do so. Although these children have made mistakes it is shocking to hear that they would rather take their own lives than endure the abuse they experience in adult prisons. It is safe to conclude that it is our responsibility and duty as social workers to protect these children and keep them safe and out of adult prisons regardless of their criminal offenses. 

References: 

Children in Adult Prison. (2020, September 01). Retrieved November 02, 2020, from https://eji.org/issues/children-in-prison/