Some teens would be better off in jail

After reading the article “Teen alternatives to jail good for all,” I feel that is not OK to give teenagers alternatives for their bad behaviors and actions. Being a teenager myself, I understand the way some people think and process. Jail is certainly the correct path for certain people who do certain things.

I believe that desperate times do call for desperate measures, and that is exactly what going to a jail or juvenile center can offer. If someone does something wrong, they need some sort of punishment to make them realize their fault.

Giving someone an innocent alternative, such as community service, gives them an easy way out of their action. It does not improve or benefit them in any way.

I strongly disagree with the statement, “as youth who are kept at home with comprehensive services are less likely to repeat offend.” Going home would be more of a gift than a punishment. Teenagers may feel that they “got off the hook” this time. They could easily think that the next time they do something, that they will be given the same result which they didn’t think was that bad.

Going to jail really opens their eyes to the consequences that can happen. Also, just because “it costs taxpayers in Illinois more than $80,000 a year to keep a kid locked up,” does not mean that we should not lock them up, anyway. Even though money is spent, safety is worth more.

It may be hard to believe that teenagers could be that great of a threat, but nothing is certain these days. It is better to take precautions and spend a portion of our money, than let unlawful people off the hook.

Giovanna Galetta

Roselle