Arya further explained that in the not-so-distant past, both California and Arizona experienced significant problems with housing youth in adult jails and prisons across those states. After multiple youth suicide attempts throughout California prisons, in 2004 officials at both state and county levels decided to drastically minimize the number of youth held in adult facilities by housing youth in juvenile facilities instead. But it's not enough. What really needs to happen? The executive recommendations from the America's Invisible Children policy brief fall into two major categories: (1) Stop the most harmful and dangerous laws, policies, and practices that affect Latino youth, and (2) Focus on building culturally competent services and programs to serve the needs of Latino youth and families. This way the objective becomes "reducing the transfer of Latino youth to the adult system, while reconsidering law enforcement tactics and the impact of policies related to racial and ethnic profiling, enforcement of gang statutes, and the negative effect that immigration enforcement policies have on Latino youth".
As the 2010 census approaches, inarguably the face of America will continue to change. The demographic shift is inevitable, as a young population of Latino children grows into adolescence, we must be responsive to the issues that will impact our communities. Addressing the current Latino youth disparities in the justice system becomes a critical component. As one parent put it: "Whose child is next? It could be my neighbor's child, it could be your child. Put yourselves in these shoes. How would you want your child treated? My son was David Burgos and he committed suicide at 17 while incarcerated in an adult prison. How did this happen? Keep 16 and 17 year olds in the juvenile justice system. We must save our youth." Leadership is sorely needed to inspire and promote political will, along with the courage to see these reforms come to fruition. What role will you play?
Linda Caballero-Sotelo is a freelance writer based in California. Email your comments to: Lsotelo@toltecmedia.net
My Story...in my words
Accounts from Formerly Incarcerated Young People
Willy Rivera
I sincerely regret the mistakes that I have made. My experience in an adult jail was very hard. I was the only Latino on the unit and I felt extremely isolated. There were many fights. My cellmate and I were jumped and beaten by seven other inmates so badly that I had to be taken to the hospital. The inmates who attacked me kicked my face, chipped my teeth and stabbed me under my eye. During my incarceration I witnessed many acts of violence that would go unnoticed by the correctional officers. The medical treatment was insufficient and the mental health services ineffective. I believe that they didn't understand how to treat youth. If you couldn't sleep they just gave you pills. When I was there, I believe some kids were overmedicated. It didn't seem well monitored. There were several suicide attempts among the youth that officers and mental health staff weren't aware of or didn't care to know about. I personally was involved in talking down one youth from taking his own life.