Academic Decathlon. Hot Topic Tuesdays

Which statement identifies the central idea of The Cost of Prison Dollars and Lives?

• The courts are hesitant to treat juvenile offenders like adult offenders, but sometimes it’s necessary when rehabilitation isn’t possible.

• The courts are violating juvenile offenders’ rights by sentencing them as they would adults, and exposing them to cruel and unusual punishment.

• Criminal justice for both adult and juvenile offenders should focus on rehabilitation over incarceration, as incarceration is ineffective and expensive.

• Treating juvenile offenders as adults has been ineffective, wasteful, and unresponsive to what is known about adolescent brain development.

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Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose in The Cost of Prison in Dollars and Lives?

• to explore both sides of the debate regarding sentencing juveniles as adults

• to show how treating juvenile offenders as adults is ineffective

• to emphasize why juvenile offenders are more likely to be rehabilitated

• to stress how the criminal justice system is a burden on taxpayers

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Which statement best expresses the central idea of Prison Is a Poor Deterrent, and a Dangerous Punishment?

• Juvenile offenders are more likely to respond to rehabilitation than adults because they are more optimistic than hardened criminals.

• Due to juvenile offenders’ mental development, spending time in prison doesn’t prevent youth from committing crimes or help them in ways that rehabilitation does.

• Both juvenile and adult offenders are equally harmed by their time in prison and would benefit from rehabilitation programs.

• Juvenile offenders can’t be held accountable for the crimes they commit due to their stunted mental development and inability to adapt to outside life when they leave prison.

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Which statement best describes how the author of Prison Is a Poor Deterrent, and a Dangerous Punishment views the juvenile justice system?

• It can help young offenders repair relationships with their victims

• It instills less of a sense of fear in young offenders than adult prisons

• It teaches young offenders job skills so they don’t have to turn to crime

• It develops the skills young offenders will need to be able to reenter society

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According to The Cost of Prison in Dollars and Lives, recently many state courts have...

• considered the young age of offenders when the crimes are violent.

• given juveniles the minimum sentence because of their age.

• punished juveniles more harshly than adults to discourage repeat offenses.

• sentenced juveniles like adults, despite their young age.

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According to the author of The Cost of Prison in Dollars and Lives, why shouldn’t juveniles receive the same punishment as adults?

• Juveniles don’t realize when they’re doing something wrong.

• Juveniles suffer more in prison than adult offenders do.

• Juveniles are young and still have much to contribute to society.

• Juveniles’ brains aren’t fully developed and they can be rehabilitated.

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According to The Cost of Prison in Dollars and Lives, What does sentencing juveniles as adults do to juveniles?

• negatively impacts youth and wastes money.

• helps them realizes the severity of their crime.

• destroys their trust in the justice system.

• frightens juveniles away from reoffending.

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According to Prison Is a Poor Deterrent, and a Dangerous Punishment, why should young offenders be treated differently than adult offenders?

• They aren’t responsible for their actions.

• They are at risk of becoming repeat offenders.

• Their brains are still developing and can change.

• They are likely to change with the proper punishment.

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In Prison Is a Poor Deterrent, and a Dangerous Punishment, the author claims that prisons...

• don’t know how to treat or rehabilitate youth.

• don’t give youth necessary social interaction.

• force youth to grow up too fast.

• can’t properly punish youth.

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In Prison Is a Poor Deterrent, and a Dangerous Punishment, how does the author describe young offenders’ experiences in prison?

• They’re motivated to improve their behavior to leave prison.

• They develop skills that negatively impact their rehabilitation.

• They go through rehabilitation programs intended for adults.

• They see what they could become and are scared into behaving.

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