Content Background
From the beginning, both nationally and in Oklahoma, the juvenile justice system intended to address youth as a vulnerable population to be re-directed and restored in therapeutic environments, not shut away in prisons. That promise was never fully realized, and in the last forty years was almost completely abandoned. Juvenile justice systems, like the adult systems, became harsher and less forgiving. Along the way, racial inequities increased, as well. My student Thomas became the perfect example of our broken system. Like Thomas, my students are often so mired in the system that they cannot see any aspect of it objectively. To give shape to their understanding as we progress through our readings and activities, we will keep our focus on five essential questions.
By the end of the unit, students will be able to discuss and answer these questions: (1) Why are prisons/incarcerations our main tool of punishment? (2) What is the role of race in juvenile incarceration? (3) What does effective juvenile justice look like? (4) How does Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system stack up against the rest of the country? (5) What can citizens—especially young people—do to improve our criminal and/or juvenile justice systems?
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