I found this article about the experiences that LGBT youth have when they are in juvenile detention centers and the findings are unfortunately predictable...
"National statistics show lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth in juvenile detention facilities fare worse than their heterosexual peers."
“Staff and other youth regularly subject LGBT youth to shocking physical, sexual, and emotional abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.”
“Facility staff sometimes instigate or facilitate fights or sexual abuse between youth.”
Yes, that said STAFF. I can not imagine being locked and trapped in a facility where everyone is an enemy and you are never safe to turn your back or close your eyes. I think it would be very interesting to see a study done on the emotional and mental affect that going through an experience like that takes on a youth. I assume it would not be pretty.
Reading the testimonials of the youth in this article, almost every one of them got into an altercation while inside the facility and was then sentenced to a longer, harsher sentence as a result, and the abuse still continued.
Another issue that comes up in this article is the struggles that transgender youth face when entering a juvenile detention facility. Are they placed with their gender of origin or are they placed with the gender they identify as? This issue has come up time and time again. What do you think class? (I think I know how most of us would answer but weigh the pros and cons) Is this as controversial a topic as the media makes it out to be? Why?
Read more: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/insideout/134690163.html#ixzz2rL9hSU9m
This is certainly an intersting perspective and a topic I have discussed often lately in my place of employment. Many agencies and facilities do not have a specific policy that guide practice when it comes to transgender youth. Working at a progressive agency like the Huckleberry House we have engaged in discussion about where our transgender youth will sleep and how to make it known to staff and other youth what types of pronouns they wish to be addressed as. We made the decision to respect youth's wishes to sleep in the room with the gender they identify with. Addressing the issue with other youth continues to be a struggle. In a strict and rigid system like juvenile justice I would imagine transgender youth as well as other LGBT youth would feel threatened in JDC. I would imagine the switch to placing transgender youth with other offenders of the gender they idenitfy with would be a tough battle.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting. This is a detail that I have never considered but I can understand is a vital detail.
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