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crime1d ago
New report sheds light on Maryland youth crimes and adult prosecution
- A new report surveys 2,200 incarcerated individuals across 38 states to understand youth offenses and adult prosecution.
- In Maryland, the study reports an average ACE score of 6.4 out of 10 among respondents.
- Most respondents reported six or more adverse experiences before incarceration.
- Advocates say trauma, including parental separation and home substance abuse, influences youth crime.
- Laura Nicks, who spent 32 years in prison for being an accessory to murder at 17, advocates for trauma-informed approaches.
- Nicks warns solitary confinement harms trauma survivors and questions the value of current youth detention practices.
- Experts urge step-down programs with counseling and education for youth to aid rehabilitation.
- The Maryland framework treats some youth crimes as automatic adult charges, aligning with national patterns.
- The report emphasizes accountability paired with trauma-informed support rather than punishment alone.
- The report was conducted by Human Rights for Kids and highlights experiences before incarceration.
- The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of prosecuting youths in adult courts.
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