Former Juvenile Detainee Reflects on Systemic Failures and Personal Growth

A former juvenile detainee shares a powerful narrative about his experiences within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing the need for systemic reform. His story highlights how the system often fails to provide genuine rehabilitation, instead perpetuating cycles of punishment and marginalization

The narrative begins with a reflective exercise in juvenile hall, where detainees were asked to identify role models. While most chose conventional figures, the author selected his cousin Jorge and infamous gangster Al Capone, using them as symbols of contrasting life paths influenced by societal incentives

Jorge, the author's cousin, embodied the virtues of discipline and financial prudence, saving not just for material gains but for freedom and mobility. In contrast, Al Capone represented the exploitation of systemic flaws, thriving in a society that rewarded illicit activities over legitimate entrepreneurship

The author recounts his own struggles with the juvenile system, which began with a minor cannabis-related offense. He describes a cycle of drug tests and institutionalization that failed to address underlying issues, offering punishment rather than support or understanding

Upon turning 18, the author was released, not because he was rehabilitated, but because the system's legal hold expired. This experience fueled his commitment to advocating for change, using his voice to highlight the need for a justice system that prioritizes support over punishment