The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "juveniles in adult jails" ...
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Arrested Development
For thousands of youths accused of crimes, punishment preceeds any conviction. The may be held for months or even years in county jails for -- and sometimes with -- adult suspects. Scripps Howard News Service reports on the 7,500 junveiles in adult jails at any time, their conditions of confinement and how a loophole in federal law allows jails in 29 states to house juveniles with adults.
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Minor Offenders, Major Consequences
The reporter examines the Wisconsin criminal justice system for young adults using the story of a young man who hanged himself in jail at age 17.
Tags: juvenile; prison; jail; Wisconsin criminal justice system; 17-year-olds
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Arrested Development
"For thousands of youths accused of crimes, punishment precedes any conviction in court. They may be held for months or even years in county jails for--and sometimes with--adult suspects."
Tags: juveniles in adult jails
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For Their Own Good
This story exposes juveniles, who are to serve trial as adults, are being held in isolation for over 20 hours a day. This process can last months or years while these juveniles wait for trial. The jail provides "less than the required minimum amount of education and physical activity". This story also revealed that judges and county officials weren't aware of the treatment of these juveniles. Though, state juvenile justice advocates were aware of the process, they did nothing to stop it.
Tags: Harris county; juveniles; solitary confinement; adults; judges; Texas; youth; prisons; jail; justice department; kids
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Young and In Trouble: Different Paths for Punishment (part 1) and The Challenge of Rehabilitation (part 2)
This investigation exposed "a huge racial imbalance between the number of white and black youths sent to adult prison in the Bay area, statewide and nationally." The review focused on teens ages 13-17 sentenced to adult prison. Most of the youths sent to adult prison were black; white juvenile delinquents were more likely to be sentenced to house arrest or be put on probation. These articles look at possible hidden causes for the disparity, like the fact that police spend more time in black neighborhoods so are more likely to catch black criminals than white ones. The article also explores the idea that the records don't reflect racism; rather, the situation shows how poor delinquents are more likely to end up in adult prison. The article discusses how being in adult prison affects kids differently than being in a youth-oriented rehabilitation program.
Tags: prison; jail; incarceration; juvenile delinquents; teen court; YES; racial discrimination
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Selling Atlanta's Children
The Journal-Constitution investigates teenage prostitution in Atlanta. The investigation focuses on the fact that prostitutes as young as 10 are going to jail while the adult men who exploit them go free. As a result of the investigation the state legislature passed laws making pimping minors a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and allowing the government to seize assets of those involved in child prostitution. Eleven alleged pimps were arrested on racketeering after the series ran.
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Is This Justice?
The Post-Gazette was challenged by the chief judge of the juvenile system to watch and see how new "adult time" for youth offenders legislation worked out. That's just what they did. They found that young offenders sentenced as adults were more likely to re-offend; they usually spent less time in jail; and they were more likely to commit crimes while out on bail -- something not allowed in the juvenile system. The investigation also found that black youths were more likely to be charged as adults and were given much longer sentences than white offenders.
Tags: juvenile justice; sentencing; prison