In America, thousands of teens are sentenced to life in prison before they are legally adults. At this age the human brain is incapable of coping with the violence and other complex events that may occur in prison. During a juvenile’s time in prison, it is likely that they will begin to mingle with negative figures and begin to look up to them. The downside of this process is the entity not having a chance to change and become a better person.
Teenagers are still developing their minds, but unlike normal teens, they are maturing in prison. The brain tends to be fully mature during the mid 20s. In some cases some do not mature until they reach their early 30s. “[M]ost of the teenagers who are tried as adults and sentenced to life in adult institutions are placed in level 4 maximum security prisons that are extremely violent.” (-“Prison Is Too Violent…”) Traumatic experiences in prison can interrupt neural-processes and can even cause mental illness in the future. Because the brain is still developing, one could attach him/herself to a figure to comfort them while they are still figuring out their lives in prison. …show more content…
Those having committed the most heinous crimes tend to be the most common role models in prison. Juveniles look up to them because they seem untouchable and take on their negative habits. In the novel, “Boy With a Knife” by Jean Trounstine, the author tells the story of Karter Kane Reed. Reed was charged with first degree murder at the age of 16. During his time in prison, he had many negative influences and as time progressed Karter found himself in solitary confinement due to negative influences he had taken on. These events would not have taken place if Karter had been given a chance outside of
Teenagers are still developing their minds, but unlike normal teens, they are maturing in prison. The brain tends to be fully mature during the mid 20s. In some cases some do not mature until they reach their early 30s. “[M]ost of the teenagers who are tried as adults and sentenced to life in adult institutions are placed in level 4 maximum security prisons that are extremely violent.” (-“Prison Is Too Violent…”) Traumatic experiences in prison can interrupt neural-processes and can even cause mental illness in the future. Because the brain is still developing, one could attach him/herself to a figure to comfort them while they are still figuring out their lives in prison. …show more content…
Those having committed the most heinous crimes tend to be the most common role models in prison. Juveniles look up to them because they seem untouchable and take on their negative habits. In the novel, “Boy With a Knife” by Jean Trounstine, the author tells the story of Karter Kane Reed. Reed was charged with first degree murder at the age of 16. During his time in prison, he had many negative influences and as time progressed Karter found himself in solitary confinement due to negative influences he had taken on. These events would not have taken place if Karter had been given a chance outside of