Juvenile Abuse at the Jena, Louisiana Prison

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews the way six juvenile offenders were brutalized by guards, deprived of basic rights and kept sequestered in solitary confinement. The author illustrates the dangers of not properly screening applicants for positions, which put the successful candidates in positions of great power over others, such as juvenile offenders. The paper also points out how this case brings into sharp relief the need for better oversight of privately-run facilities across America. The paper concludes that events, such as these, should not happen; therefore, it is imperative that government, regulatory bodies and organizations have in place strict compliance guidelines that protect inmates from unscrupulous associates, administrators and prison staff.

From the Paper:

"To give a full understanding of the depravity of those who abused these young people, it is worth noting that one of the victims was actually compelled to lie on the floor (on his stomach) with a guard's boot pressed squarely against his back. At first glance, that does not seem like a "big deal" - but the victim was recovering from gunshot wounds and was wearing a colostomy bag at the time. Suffice it to say, the pressure exerted upon his back was enough to cause him excruciating pain."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Butterfield, Fox. "Privately Run Juvenile Prison in Louisiana Is Attacked for Abuse of 6 Inmates." PrisonAct. 16 Mar. 2000. Prisonctivist.org. 14 May 2007 <http://www.prisonactivist.org/pipermail/prisonact-list/2000-March/002726.html>
• Columbia Broadcasting System Worldwide, Inc. ""Locked inside a nightmare." 60 Minutes II. 2000, May. CBS Interactive. 14 May 2007 http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/05/09/60II/main193636.shtml

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