RI Prosecutes 17-Year-Olds to Save Money

[steve2470]

Source: AP

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- When state legislators passed a law last month requiring that 17-year-olds be tried as adults, they hoped the reduced cost of providing for adult prisoners rather than juveniles would save the state about $3.6 million.

But almost immediately, prison officials said they didn't think the move would save any money, and critics around the country denounced it as shortsighted and wrong.

Gov. Don Carcieri, a Republican, proposed the change earlier this year as a way to close a $450 million budget shortfall. It costs an average of $40,000 a year to house an inmate at the state prison - less than half the $98,000 it costs to put a teen through the Rhode Island Training School, where juveniles attend classes and receive rehabilitative services.

The Democratic-dominated General Assembly reluctantly approved the change last month despite a late effort by Senate members to prevent it from taking effect.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/J/JUVENILE_JUSTICE?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

[pocoloco]

1. Hot Damn!

New tender meat!!

WTF were they thinking??

[Mythsaje]

2. Tried as adults for WHAT?

I can almost see murder, though it sets my teeth on edge. But other crimes? For the sake of money? To throw them in with hardened adults?

Nothing short of criminal.

[acmavm]

3. Money, money, money. That's what it all comes down to, isn't it?

[noonwitch]

4. That's how it is in most states

In Michigan, a 17 year old is always tried as an adult unless they are being charged with a status offense, of which there are only 3: Truancy from home, truancy from school and incorrigibility. There are things like minor in possession or curfew violation, but the former is criminal and the second is something teens get detained briefly for parental pickup, and then fined.

We're not a death penalty state, so I have no problem with trying 17 year olds as adults. If they are old enough to drive, they are old enough to pay adult penalties for violent crimes.