Trapped in a Vice: The Consequences of Confinement for Young People

Trapped in a Vice: The Consequences of Confinement for Young People

Author credibility     

Cox, Alexandra, is demonstrated as a skilled author for his impressive artistic writing. Through his work, and especially the book “Trapped in a Vice,” Cox has shown his literacy ability by the great ideas and messages expressed in the book. The author’s book builds a keen awareness of the juvenile justice system and the way young people experience severe rules by the system.

Methodology

Cox has used both observations and interviewing methods of data collection, which have aided in the analysis of the research findings. This research reveals a qualitative type of research, and it can be replicated because I believe these findings can be generalized to a vast population. However, this research cannot be termed as scientific because there are more studies that have been conducted on the juvenile justice system and have presented somehow similar findings.

Summary of the book

Trapped in a Vice is a book that surveys the results of the justice system for juveniles. The juvenile justice system, as elaborated by Alexandra Cox, aims at promoting young peoples’ life in the judiciary system. The author explores the system where he tries to establish how the system treats young individuals and adults in the judiciary. The book reveals several in which juveniles struggle to meet the rules of the system. The first chapter of the book addresses the rhetoric and philosophic sketches that have aided in juvenile justice system reforms in New York City. This analysis in this book reveals more about ho juvenile persevere the same treatment as adults on matters investigation and jail terms. The juvenile justice system has had rules and policies over time, which is implemented to safeguard the life of young children who are convicted. In this book, Cox reveals that juveniles undergo severe hardships in their confinement, which does not seem to be different from adults. As by the law, minors are not supposed to be treated just like adults in the New York Government

The results of juvenile confinement show the hazardous nature that is detaining youth and the issues with which the justice system for juveniles presently work. In that capacity, it kicks off something new for specialists concentrating on the advancement of culpable and reactions to offenders. Progressively, the book looks into the negative impacts of detaining juvenile offenders in the same cells with the adults. Writing distributed since 2000 recommends that imprisonment neglecting to meet the developmental and criminogenic needs of young offenders is constrained in its capacity to give fitting recovery.

Cox has found in his book that a high number of youths are confined in very restrictive custody areas meant for adults. The highest number of juveniles is held in youth detention centers. These places are just equivalent to facilities that adult prisoners are held custody in. The law clearly states that minors should be confined in areas where their human rights, such as freedom to healthcare services, are implanted. When these young people are imprisoned in these areas, chances of accessing quality medical care are limited, which makes them endure the tough environment and lack of proper teachings that can impact their lives positively.

The author further explains that the kind of facility where a juvenile is confined can influence their wellbeing, security, and adequate access to health care services. The author explains in the book that adult prisons are the most dangerous facilities to keep juveniles. Adult prisons lack proper structures that can provide youths with adequate health services. According to Cox, minors who are in adult prisons are supposed to be placed in solitary confinement, which is a requirement by PREA (prison rape elimination act). This study by Cox depicts that when juveniles are kept in the same confinement facilities, they are more likely to commit suicide than young people who are kept in ordinary juvenile facilities.

Certainly, a large number of youths are found guilty of offenses that they did not commit. Many judges do not play the role of applying good practices in their profession, which ends up affecting the lives of the accused juveniles.  Although there exists a sacred law to protect young people from being treated as adults in the juvenile justice system, they are still exposed to some inquisitive strategies that force them to accept wrong confessions due to severe hardships that the police cause them to go through. The writer of this article uncovers a portion of the difficulties that young people experience during these procedures. The book reveals various conventions and procedures followed by the cops during juvenile trials. The writer attempts to expand on how the New York State Government and the court have established principles to ensure the detaining environment for juveniles is dealt with uniquely in contrast to adult environments.

Who should read this book?

            Cox wrote this book targeting a large audience that is not limited to any profession. However, legal professionals are the first target audience because they mainly serve in judiciaries. The reason why the author targets even the general population is because even the parents need the rights of their children who have been convicted. Therefore they can seek legal action if the juvenile justice system neglects their children’s’ rights. This book can, however, help the department of criminal justice to embrace legal policies that can uphold minor rights more effectively.

Strengths in the book

            Alexandra has used his time well from the reviewing stage of this book to the last publishing phase. The essential quality noted in Cox’s book, “Trapped in a Vice,” is the capacity to find what occurs in the New York City juvenile justice system. The book has unmistakably depicted juveniles are given similar treatments with adults without observing the judicial rules set to govern juvenile rights. This act of negligence by treating young individuals as adults has made many children endure suffering in their jail terms.

Weaknesses

            Cox has not elaborated on the measures that should be taken against people working who serves in the court justice system and are involved in neglecting juvenile rights. Proper studies should be conducted to address this matter in the future.

Publication date

This book was first published in the year 2018 by the Rutgers University Press. The book is approximately three years old since its first publishing. The book has been read by a massive population across the globe and has received remarkable reviews by great scholars. Today, the book is essential for judges, lawyers, and also critical to individuals pursuing their careers in criminal justice.

References

Cox, A. (2018). Trapped in a Vice: The consequences of confinement for young people. Rutgers University Press.