California Youth Authority- “Punishment” and Rehabilitation
School to prison pipeline is a trend where minors are pushed to juvenile and criminal
justice systems. It is an issue of concern that mostly affects students from poor backgrounds,
those who have suffered abuse of various manners that eventually makes them withdrawn or
develop self defense mechanisms such as being rude or vulgar. Taking insights from the CYA
documentary we see that this trend is present, criminal systems have a lot of minors.
Schools have striking similarities with prisons. They are both aimed at changing one’s
character. Like in public schools, prisons have severe punishments for any disciplinary action. In
the CYA documentary, young prisoners were seriously punished for producing some lost metals.
Marcus even had to undergo an x-ray which fortunately tested negative. Some of them
underwent serious search up to the balls. Just like in schools, prisons too have staff who help
maintain order and see through smooth running of activities (Carlos Maldonado, 2019). Prisons
have teaching staff who offer training on skill based learning to prisoners. Special education
program. These programs are more on guidance, counselling aimed at determining if one is
suitable to successfully go out and continue with their normal life, from the CYA documentary, a
team of staff are interrogating one of the inmates who certainly gives reasons why he should be
released. Just like schools, prisons stress on order and silence. Inmates are at all times required to
be orderly and perform their duties with due diligence, the CYA documentary shows that a
violation of order is punishable and there is negative reinforcement, just like it is in schools.
Schools have uniforms, this goes to an extent that things are done in a uniform manner, prisons
too have uniforms. Things are done procedurally, there are set times for doing what ought to be
done. Lunch is served within a regular time frame, walking is done at the set time frame as well.
To a greater extent, the education system has contributed to pushing these learners to
juvenile prisons. Students need tolerance when dealt with. Minor mistakes should be dealt with
by counselling and provide guidance where necessary. The school system has practiced zero
tolerance to indiscipline that imposes severe punishment. Many students have been expelled
while others are suspended. Coming from poverty ridden families, these students are not able to
make a reverse entry to school. Some of the students have been expelled due very minor
mistakes such as bringing nail cutters to schools.
Inadequate resources and a failing school system has also created high dropout rates. As
pointed out earlier, most of the students come from poor backgrounds. When the school system
does not provide funding I extras like textbooks or even special educational services, which to a
greater extent would help in molding students character. At times the school system is under
pressure from test-based scores accountability regimes. This leads to pushing out low performing
students in a bid to boost the average test scores.
The engagement of courts in juvenile cases and eventually detention is another hallmark
failure of the school system resulting in a school to prison pipeline. These detention facilities as
shown in the CYA documentary do not provide educational services. Students of color are more
susceptible to detention than their white peers even for minor mistakes. It becomes very difficult
for these students to make a comeback after going down the pipeline to jail.
I am of the opinion that the CYA is doing pretty well and that in as much as there may be
a little negativity that is associated with them, the goodness outweighs them. The end result
would create better young Turks who will transcend from their criminal ways to better people
who would be of great help to the society. The “Tattooed Tears” video shows us the efforts of the
authority to bring out responsible youths. Education is offered which is paramount for shaping
up responsibility. The staffs are very mindful about the welfare of the kids, there is a close follow
up, when Ronnie wanted to commit suicide, the staffs were able to note him in time, they locked
him up in a secure isolated room which in my opinion shows that there is neglect. The young
inmates are also given an opportunity to speak out. The young kid Brian speaks about the
chances he has out there, and the staff give him an ear and attention he wanted at that time.
References
Carlos Maldonado (2019). "Tattooed Tears" 1979 CYA Documentary. [Video] YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65gbMJftXgs
Schiff, M. (2018). Can restorative justice disrupt the ‘school-to-prison pipeline?’. Contemporary
Justice Review , 21 (2),
121-139. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10282580.2018.1455509?
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