Instead of having to worry about traditional things like college or high school prom, Black youth have to worry about economic hardships, police brutality, or “The Code of the Streets'”. The “code” refers to resulting in violence for respect or committing illegal acts in order to survive. Majority of the time, the inner city areas that Black youth live in follow different priorities than the rest of society. In their neighborhood they are only worried about surviving by any means necessary. That type of stress on a young adult can make them impressionable to do anything, even commit crimes to survive, which leads them in the justice system. To take things further, incarcerated youth have to deal with the psychological trauma of imprisonment with little to no guidance from a caring adult. Once incarcerated Black youth are released, it will be difficult for them to reintegrate with society, after going through these traumatic experiences, leading them back to a life of crime to survive. Finding alternatives such as personal development, educational, and financial services for incarcerated youth will allow them to focus on wanting a better life. Also, these services will give them the tools and caring adults that will keep them on the right path to success. Not to mention taxpayers’ dollars will be saved and communities will become safer. In all it will be easier for juveniles to reintegrate into a productive society after a life of crime.
top of page
bottom of page