IL: SIU Illinois researcher’s team advocates for new assessment, treatment approach for juvenile sex offenders

Source: news.siu.edu 7/6/23

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Tamara Kang, assistant professor in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, and her colleagues have created a new research-based assessment for juvenile sex offenders, which they say is more accurate, effective and beneficial for the young offenders and society as a whole than current systems. And since 95-97% of juveniles won’t reoffend, the team recommends treatment over incarceration.

“A lot of times the public views juveniles with sex offenses as really dangerous, but the vast majority of them aren’t different from other juveniles,” Kang said. “Their brains aren’t fully formed, and they often don’t understand the consequences of their choices and of acting impetuously. They are often controlled by feelings and impulses. They make bad decisions, and their actions are wrong. But they are not necessarily bad people.”

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1) Get these folks introduced to the other academics associated with ACSOL, et al, who do similar studies we know of and have read so the pool is larger to who can be called on for their cred and ability to make change.

2) Brain underdevelopment is a topic again as @NDIK and I discussed in the past. As I have learned further (and know in other instances), the human body is always under development (or maturation as it ages) until it dies. I am not sure underdevelopment is a correct way to measure this. I would defer to say they have not been exposed to (no pun intended) or taught about situations that minors are being currently evaluated for, e.g., sharing of selfies that could be spread. Minors can be taught about what to do (either through the family which is the appropriate method or in school) when it comes to situations such as this and others they are more prone to become aware of or asked to partake in. I am not buying the innocence of minors anymore as they are far more advanced in life than what they let on given the speed of its change they are aware of and by the method, e.g., the cellphone and computer. If minors can be taught how to drive and understand the laws related to it in addition to maintenance of the vehicle, then they can be taught the laws and ramifications legally as well as socially, mentally, etc of their actions. Should they be given a chance to not be shackled for the rest of their days with something like this? Sure, but so shouldn’t everyone regardless of age?!

3) Youth will get a more sympathetic ear in the legislature, etc because they just do, but so should everyone individually when it comes to issues. Age should not be the defining factor, but life experience should be. Increase the reform here they are looking at and include everyone.

Who can really comment about this without seeing their prescribed methodology. While I believe their intent forthright,
the foundation of this conflict is socially driven,. Meaning its our children’s inherited environment that is the cause of their interpersonal deafness and behavior maladies. IMO the biggest mistake a society can make is putting the child first. Raising a child to believe they are the center of the universe, the most important thing to this world, is short sighted, and a sure way to raise a selfish psycho. Still those humans who rise to the top are still the most ambitious and aggressive of them all. Thus our politics are ruthless, and why wouldn’t the people follow…resistance is futile. Every lawyer in America can see the speedy trial standards are almost completely eroded. The Cosby case proved fair trial standards are just as bad. Some insisted the data based infrastructure would effectively decrease crime and processes(time), but instead it seizes by pure additional volume.
Internet communication occurs at near the speed of light, but it doesn’t really speed anything up in human terms. Modern criminal and civil context trial include database driven evidence.
All porn cases do for sure. Are we really being sold independence or dependence upon it for our survival?