Analysis Of Jenkins's Article: On Punishment And Teen Killers

Several juvenile defenders will argue that not all minors have a reason to commit a crime. They can argue that in Jenkins 's article, "On Punishment and Teen Killers," she mentions that a teenager murdered her pregnant sister and her husband for the "thrill to kill," as Jenkins describes it (Jenkins 91). They will argue that adults dont murder for the "thrill to kill," and that some juveniles do it without targeting anyone specifically. They might not have a reason to why they committed a crime, but they murder because they have the available resources. However, some adults are actually capable of murdering in large amounts with no reason. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the bomber from the Boston Marathon of 2013, is the example to show that adults can …show more content…
It will not be easy to rehabilitate a criminal who has committed the same crime more than once. According to Jenkins 's "On Punishment and Teen Killers" article, Many juveniles that serve life in prison have committed violent crimes several times, "and many have killed multiple people" (Jenkins 92). How can somebody trust a juvenile, that has killed several people, to rehabilitate? Juveniles like these are well qualified for life in prison because they have shown potential to murder many people. For example, if this juvenile had the chance to get away with the crime, he could try to change and regret what he has done. This becomes his opportunity to rehabilitate. However, he decides to continue murder, which only gets him caught, and qualified to life in prison. Further mental research also suggests that the juvenile will forget his crimes. In the article "Startling Finds on Teenage Brains," Paul Thompson reports that teenagers lose massive tissue on their brains, but it does not remove their ability to be responsible. As it restructures at a delicate movement with massive speed, "...teens need all the help they can get to steer their development into the right path" (Thompson 90). Teenagers are at a critical age in which they can learn. However, their responsibility applies to the criminal choices they make. …show more content…
In Anderson 's story about Greg, "Greg Ousley Is Sorry for Killing His Parents. Is That Enough?," Greg had the desire to kill his parents for a long time. After so many instances of telling himself that he was actually going to do it, he finally committed the crime and did not take the blame at first (Anderson 97-99). Greg received help to rehabilitate, but if he is released, it is possible that he can murder someone else. If he had the desire to kill someone, he can do it again. He had the chance to kill his parents while they were sleeping, so it is possible for him to get another chance if he realizes that he hates someone else. It is not safe to have Greg released, knowing that he can commit another mass murder. Violent minds can stay with a criminal for long periods of time, so it is indecisive whether or not they will use that mindset