How does juvie affect your future?
Asked by: Paris Huels PhD | Last update: February 17, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (68 votes)
Being in the juvenile justice system, especially detention, creates significant hurdles for a young person's future, impacting education (college, aid), employment (background checks, specific fields), housing, and even military enlistment due to collateral consequences of a record, leading to lower earnings, poorer health, and higher recidivism, though legal options like expungement can help.
What happens when you go to Juvie?
What happens in juvenile detention centers day-to-day varies by facility, but school-age youth must attend school. Youth are entitled to go outdoors regularly, engage in physical exercise, participate in a range of recreational activities and practice their religion.
What are the long term effects of juvenile detention?
Our results also demonstrate an association between child incarceration (i.e. incarceration at < 14 years old) and substantially worse physical and mental health outcomes during adulthood, including worse adult general health, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and suicidality.
Is Juvie effective?
Incarceration does not reduce delinquent behavior.
State-level data on recidivism consistently show that youth who are released from correctional confinement experience high rates of rearrest, new adjudications (in juvenile court) or convictions (in adult court), and reincarceration.
What are the effects of juvenile crime?
Effects on the Juvenile Delinquent
This increases the likelihood of recidivism and in many states and convicted an adult. Over the age of 14 who commit recidivism can be tried Delinquency may also affect college and career choices.
The juvenile justice system is broken. Here is what actually works
Why is teen curfew bad?
Other arguments against youth curfews are that they will increase conflicts between youth and the police, do not address the prevalent patterns of juvenile crime and juvenile victimization, and do not take into account differing family and parenting contexts.
Is juvie better than jail?
Unlike adult facilities, the primary focus of juvenile detention is on rehabilitation and education rather than punishment. The philosophy is that younger offenders have a higher potential for change, and early interventions can divert them from a life of crime.
How long do people usually stay in Juvie?
"Juvenile" refers to a minor, typically under 18 in the U.S., but the length of time someone stays in the juvenile justice system varies greatly by state, offense, and individual circumstances, ranging from probation terms (often months) to placements in facilities for longer, sometimes up until age 19 or 21, with some serious cases handled like adult offenses.
What are the cons of detention?
Yet detention is not an effective discipline tool for some students, and in fact it might increase the recurrence of negative behavior. Detention and other punitive measures, like suspensions and expulsions, can contribute to other issues, such as recidivism among students, despite harsher or longer punishments.
How many kids go to jail each year?
In 2021, there were 2,000 kids under the age of 18 held in jails, and approximately 85% of them were being held as adults. While some states refuse to adopt a policy to house juveniles separate from adults, many have acknowledged the immense potential for harm.
Is Juvie separated by gender?
Male and female populations may be separated within a facility. The term 'youth' refers to persons under age 21 who were in a facility because they were charged with or adjudicated for an offense.
How bad is a juvenile detention center?
Some facility types are much worse than others
Youth in adult facilities are also five times more likely to commit suicide than those in juvenile facilities. Juvenile detention centers (or “youth jails”) and long-term secure “youth prisons” are often very harmful environments, too.
How long are showers in Juvie?
Shower times in juvenile detention vary significantly by facility, but generally range from a few minutes (like 3-5 mins) up to 15-45 minutes, often scheduled daily or several times a week, sometimes bundled with getting ready, and usually supervised by staff, with some facilities offering more time or flexibility.
How do you survive your first time in jail?
HOW TO SURVIVE YOUR FIRST WEEKS IN PRISON
- FINDING YOUR FEET. During your first few months, you will stick out as the new guy. ...
- MAKING FRIENDS. One key place to look for people with character is in the chapel programs. ...
- PROTECTING YOURSELF. Be careful about owing anybody anything.
Why would a child go to Juvie?
Some children and youth become involved with the juvenile justice system because they are accused of committing a delinquent or criminal act. Other youth encounter the system for status offenses—actions that are illegal only because of a youth's age—such as truancy, underage drinking, and running away from home.
How much is $20 worth in jail?
With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.
Is 1 day in jail equal to 2 days?
Sentences to county jail
In other words, for every two days of actual time in custody, four days will have been deemed served, or essentially half-time credit. (§ 4019(f).) The change is made effective for all crimes committed on or after October 1, 2011.
What is the oldest you can go to Juvie?
The maximum age for juvenile detention varies by state but is typically 18, though many states have "raise the age" laws extending this to 19 or 20 for certain offenses or circumstances, with exceptions allowing continued confinement in some cases up to age 21 for serious matters, reflecting a national trend to keep youth in the juvenile system longer for rehabilitation.
What is the purpose of juvie?
Both California's adult and juvenile justice systems have as one of their goals public safety. California's adult system also has punishment of offenders as a goal, while California's juvenile justice system has a different goal--treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
What is the lowest level of jail?
Minimum security institutions, also known as Federal Prison Camps (FPCs), have dormitory housing, a relatively low staff-to-inmate ratio, and limited or no perimeter fencing.
What are juvenile criminals called?
Delinquent juvenile: A youth who has been found responsible for having committed a delinquent act--the equivalent of being found guilty of a criminal offense. Detention: In custody (secure, non-secure, or home confinement) while awaiting an adjudication hearing, disposition, or commitment placement.
Is 17 no longer a minor?
Yes, in most places, a 17-year-old is still considered a minor, as the legal age of adulthood (age of majority) is typically 18, though specific rights and treatments can vary by state and situation, with some 17-year-olds gaining certain adult-like abilities like opening bank accounts, while others, like in Missouri, are now treated as juveniles for legal system purposes.
What rights do juveniles have?
In Gault, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the Constitution requires that youth charged with delinquency in juvenile court have many of the same due process rights guaranteed to adults accused of crimes, including the right to an attorney and the right to confront witnesses against them.
What are the three types of juveniles?
Juveniles in the justice system are often broadly classified into three categories based on their actions: Juvenile Delinquents (youth committing acts that would be crimes for adults, like theft or assault), Status Offenders (youth committing acts only illegal because of their age, like truancy or running away), and Child Protection/Children in Need of Services (youth whose welfare requires court intervention, often due to abuse, neglect, or dependency).