Locking up Children in the USA

In the United States, over 400,000 children and youth are held in juvenile detention or correctional facilities each year, many of whom are held for minor offenses. Despite a growing body of research showing that incarcerating children can be harmful and counterproductive, the U.S. continues to rely heavily on incarceration as a response to youth crime. This practice perpetuates a school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately impacts children of color, children with disabilities, and children from low-income families. Incarceration can lead to a range of negative outcomes for children, including trauma, mental health problems, and educational setbacks. It can also increase the likelihood of recidivism, making it a costly and ineffective way to address youth crime.