They Call Us Monsters

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Nov 24, 2024

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Sanni 1 They Call Us Monsters Introduction The documentary "They Call Us Monsters," which follows the lives of several young people who are facing lengthy prison sentences, presents a nuanced look at youth incarceration. This documentary is set inside Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles County, which accommodates minors being tried as adults. During the film, Gabriel Cowan, a filmmaker who focuses on helping young people express themselves through storytelling, leads the boys in a screenwriting workshop. In addition to serving decades in prison, Juan, Jared, and Antonio in this film, are juvenile offenders. Ultimately, they are adolescents who made mistakes, as illustrated in the film. As far as the heinous crimes of these teenagers are concerned, the question remains whether they should be given another chance at life. The purpose of this study is to clearly dawn on the potential circumstances that could have changed the results of these young lives by analyzing specific cases from the film. Furthermore, it explores academic studies to investigate the causes of teenage crime and to recommend methods supported by evidence that society may have followed to avoid the tragic events described in the documentary. Through careful examination of these factors, the researcher develops a complete knowledge of youth incarceration and locates intervention opportunities that can improve the lives of at-risk youth. The Life of Antonio Many people grew up like Antonio, so Antonio's story appears sad. Having been projected as a failure, he became a statistic, despite his awareness, he wanted to do better, although he was unable to. Antonio’s story exemplifies the power of local initiatives to transform the lives of

Sanni 2 adolescents at risk. Growing up in an environment characterized by neglect and exposure to gang activity, Antonio encountered multiple problems that considerably enhanced the chance of his engagement in criminal behavior. His life could have gone in a different and more promising direction if there had been more after-school activities, mentoring programs, or other intervention measures accessible in his neighborhood. Criminal behavior among at-risk youth can be reduced via participation in community-based programs. Sampson (2008) found that programs like this had a good effect on youth, specifically highlighting their ability to provide a secure and beneficial setting for kids like Brian. These programs can be a lifeline for at-risk youth by providing them with guidance, academic support, and enrichment activities that provide an alternative to a life of crime. These community-based programs helped Antonio connect with like-minded individuals and gave him a sense of purpose and belonging in his local community. They missed an opportunity to give him the kind of enriching experiences that would have led him away from crime and towards a life of learning and development. By funding initiatives like these, society can provide formerly incarcerated people like Antonio a second chance at a productive life. Juan and Jarad's Life Another young person profiled in the film is Juan, who has issues because of his fear of being loved and not being returned, and from what it sounds like he committed a heinous act simply because of that fear. Juan lacked parental supervision and was easily affected by his criminally active friends. The importance of loving and caring for adults in a child's life is emphasized. Besemer et al. (2017) found that kids who grew up in loving homes were less likely to engage in criminal behavior as adults. This shows that Juan's life may have been drastically altered for the better had his family intervened and supported him earlier on. Meanwhile, while his actions are

Sanni 3 regrettable, they are not due to the victim, rather, to the fact that he is incarcerated. Jarad on the other hand’s lack of access to mental health services and his struggles with impulse control contributed significantly to his involvement in a crime that landed him in prison. The film highlights the significance of addressing youth mental health issues. Research by Burke et al. (2015) reveals that early detection and treatment of mental health disorders can greatly lower the chance of youth participating in criminal activity. Suppose there had been more accessible mental health care in Jarad's neighborhood, it might have been possible to intervene and help him overcome the issues that led to his criminal behavior. Community-Based Program Strengthening More community-based, easily available, and efficient initiatives are needed to deter young people from engaging in criminal behavior. Mentorship, academic support, and extracurricular opportunities provided by these organizations can help keep at-risk adolescents out of trouble. Communities with multiple risk factors should be the focus of community-based activities, according to research (Sampson, 2008). Doing so will allow us to create a safe space where young people like Brian have the opportunity to explore new possibilities for a better future. One's family is one of the most influential forces in one's development. Young people's involvement in crime can be reduced if society prioritizes family stability and helps struggling parents. Positive family dynamics can be encouraged through the use of parenting programs, counseling services, and other community resources (Besemer et al., 2017). Children like Juan are less likely to engage in antisocial conduct, which equips them with the resources they need to grow up in secure, loving homes. Mental Health Care

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Sanni 4 Prevention of juvenile crime requires attention to mental health issues. More resources should be allocated toward identifying at-risk kids for mental health issues and providing them with appropriate care as soon as possible. It is vital to tear down obstacles that hinder people like Jarad from accessing the support they need (Burke et al., 2015). We can help young people like Jarad who are struggling with mental health difficulties and who are at risk of falling into criminal activity by making mental health care more widely available. Farrington et al. (2016) discussed the need for family support, community-based programs, and early intervention in reducing adolescent criminality, which is consistent with the techniques recommended here. It offers a thorough intervention framework based on the knowledge and experience of experts in the field. This scholarly work backs up the evidence-based strategies presented in this essay, emphasizing the need for a holistic strategy to address the thorny problems associated with youth incarceration and offering useful direction to policymakers and practitioners who want to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. Conclusion A riveting look at youth incarceration from different angles, "They Call Us Monsters," highlights the need for effective interventions to change the course of at-risk youth's lives. This research has identified probable elements that could have affected the lives of young people by analyzing specific cases from the film and adding scholarly research. The report also includes research- based, preventative measures to lessen criminal activity among young people. Understanding the nuances of youth incarceration can help shape policies and treatments that provide at-risk youth a better shot at a brighter, more productive future, even if we will never know the specific results for these individuals. Society may try to reduce youth incarceration and develop a more equitable and just system for young people confronting the challenges of growing up in high-risk

Sanni 5 circumstances by emphasizing community-based programs, family support, and accessible mental health treatments.

Sanni 6 References Besemer, S., Ahmad, S. I., Hinshaw, S. P., & Farrington, D. P. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the intergenerational transmission of criminal behavior. Aggression and violent behavior , 37 , 161-178. Burke, J. D., Mulvey, E. P., & Schubert, C. A. (2015). Prevalence of mental health problems and service use among first-time juvenile offenders. Journal of child and family studies , 24 , 3774-3781. Farrington, D. P., Ttofi, M. M., & Piquero, A. R. (2016). Risk, promotive, and protective factors in youth offending: Results from the Cambridge study in delinquent development. Journal of Criminal Justice , 45 , 63-70. Sampson, R. J. (2008). Moving to inequality: Neighborhood effects and experiments meet social structure. American journal of sociology , 114 (1), 189-231.

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