"More than 1 million children worldwide are living in detention as a result of being in a position of conflict with the law, without access to a fair judicial process or legal representation." (Musiani) The imprisonment of children ages 4-14 is a rampant problem in our world today. It is also a complicated subject. Children who  are imprisoned in the US are under vastly different circumstances than children in third world countries. There are many different issues related to child imprisonment. These can range from ways to prevent child imprisonment, to children's rights while in prison, to the repercussions on families with children in prison.

Topic Selection

The following topics focus on different facets of this complex issue. Participants should choose one and write an essay exploring this specific aspect and how it relates to their understanding of compassion. (Note: Essays will be disqualified if they do not address the issue of compassion.)

Alternatives to Prison

72% of child prisoners are re-convicted within two years of their release. Almost half of these children return to prison. (Goldson) Imprisonment is not always effective in preventing future crime. Children who are broken enough to commit crimes can find restoration through alternative programs. What alternatives to prison have been proposed or implemented? How successful have they been? What are other alternatives?

Child Rights

"Prior to the 20th century, children were for the most part regarded as inferior and subordinate to adults." (UN DPI) Even though that viewpoint is changing, children are still deprived of their basic human rights. Many children are robbed of a voice and cannot defend themselves. They are put into prison with little evidence, or they may wait years to receive a trial. What rights do children have? What rights should they have and on what basis? Is anybody doing something about this?

Social Preventative Measures

Some children are imprisoned because of crimes committed for survival. For example, if a child is caught with a loaf of stolen bread, it is a theft. What if the theft was to feed his little sick brother? Perhaps if the child's needs were provided for initially, he would not have been forced to steal. What are some ways that social reform can help prevent child crime?

Family Outside Prison

When a child is in prison, the entire family often suffers with the child. The family is fragmented, and grieves the absence of one of its own. The family is fragmented, and grieves the absence of its own. How can a family cope with a child in prison? What can they do to help the child? What can be done to assist the suffering relatives?

Educational Issues

Children in prison have little or no access to educational resources. What are the minimum resources prisons should provide for the education of an imprisoned child? Are there any good models that address this concern?

Heroes of Compassion

Who are some heroes of compassion for imprisoned children? Write about someone who has made advances on behalf of these children. What was his or her most significant achievement? How did he or she bring about change?

A Worldwide Problem

Compare the problem of the imprisoned child in the USA to that found in the developing world. How can these problems be resolved? What is the status of public awareness of this issue?

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