In Peru, officials recommend youth-only detention center

Criminal youths fit a different profile than their adult counterparts, experts claim, leading some officials to push for a youth-only detention center in Peru. This center would house minors that have been convicted of serious crimes, especially for those under 18 years of age, according to La Republica. Adult prisons often breed or encourage the criminal culture, which could influence and inspire younger detainees. By placing minors in a separate center, exposure to other criminals that support violence would be minimized. Focusing on education and methods to improve it would also be a benefit arising from a youth-only center. Prisoners in this age group can spend up to six years behind bars. Some critics believe the minimum age for adult status concerning serious crimes should be lowered to 16 years. Others do not believe the center would yield positive re-socialization results. A proposed alternative is to create courts specializing in youth crimes. Read Article