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There are about 101 boys and girls held prisoner in Haiti’s Delmas 33 prison complex. These children, ranging from the ages of 10-17, were born into the poorest of slums and lured into the gang life by promises of food and money or simply from the fear of the members' violent threats. These little “soldiers”, as they are called by gang members, act as the gangs’ messengers or lookouts.
Instead of offering help to these children for rehabilitation, the government labeled them as common criminals and threw them in prison, eliminating their chance of someday becoming a successful adult.
Yéle Haiti has now altered the future for these children by providing them a rehabilitation program. Yéle Haiti collaborated with Foundation PRODEV and created an educational program for the boys and girls to attend when discharged from the prison. The program includes vocational training and counseling for the imprisoned youth.
Instead of offering help to these children for rehabilitation, the government labeled them as common criminals and threw them in prison, eliminating their chance of someday becoming a successful adult.
Yéle Haiti has now altered the future for these children by providing them a rehabilitation program. Yéle Haiti collaborated with Foundation PRODEV and created an educational program for the boys and girls to attend when discharged from the prison. The program includes vocational training and counseling for the imprisoned youth.
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Answered Undecided
You may be born into a situation, but that does not mean you have to stay in it. I do not know about this article, but I do know from experience. You can change your life, you do not have to join gangs (USA) or be a criminal. You choose to be that. You can choose to do right or make people victims. -
Answered Undecided
I think it's time
Looks like a namecalling issue .. Organized crime in the US doesn't carry heavy connotation and is often seen as prestigious though they be still criminals.
Crime bosses already have an effective system that connects with youth. I think it's time gang leaders have an epiphany and see the harms of influencing their communities in negative ways. If gangs all decided to reconstruct/upgrade their ethics systems (Tookie, JBM) to favor responsibility (MMM) they'll engender productive values in youth and will strengthen communities. Why not? They're already the village that raises the child. -
Answered No
no there not because did not make the choice of being poor thats where the grew up and when u spend days without food you will do anything for it and their case thats what happen and yes i believe when u do the crime u must do the time. i think the person should get put in jail because they are using these as slave to get their duty job done thats not right -
Answered No
Ok for those who think YES just read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley!
And about those who talk about a choice possibility, well even in L.A some kids choose da eaziest way to make some cash so how would it supposed to be in Haiti? If I take an apple and don't pay am I a criminal? Only if I got the apple's money in my pucket, if I ain't, that's the seller who's a criminal because he didn't give it to me naturally! Check where you're living before to open a shop lol! So yes even a gang member can become a successful person if we just start treating people right -
Answered Undecided
No, the children shouldn't be labeled, but their parents should. Why choose to have kids when you can't feed them? Why have children when you know they'll have to resort to crime just to survive, since you--as an irresponsible adult--are not providing for the child? Forcing a child to live in such conditions is a crime to common sense, morality, and humanity. The parent, not the child, is truly the criminal in this situation. -
I'm also saddened to see that so few people understand the difference of choice-making capabilities between adults and children. It seems these people have no idea why we have age limits on things like consent, voting, driving, etc. Kids are easily influenced--this point goes directly to everyone who states, "Oh, I was born in poverty but I turned out fine." Good for you. Understand that it was your environmental influence. If we changed enough of the conditions, you'd be a criminal as well.
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Answered No
They're not criminals because they dont know anything else. Unless they're taught that that's bad than they wont learn, and we cant really blame them. It's not society's fault either, but they should have someone help teach them what's right in this world and what isnt. -
Answered No
I believe that "children" should not be convicted of criminal offenses that are minimal, but yet encouraged, taught, and helped to learn what is right and best for themselves and the world. Doing otherwise is only throwing gas to the flame. It is sending the wrong message to the youth. Acts of hatred and negativity will only recipricate what is trying to be avoided. Try a different methods. It is about time we do. -
Answered Undecided
There are millions of good kids in poverty stricken areas that rise above the perils and temptations of gangs and crime and drugs and make something very positive from their lives. I truly believe that it is the lure of easy money and the lack of determination that makes these kids "criminals". Somewhere they lost self worth and compassion for their fellow man. I truly believe that the "adults" in these neighborhoods need to start making positive influences more prevalent to these kids. They need to stop hiding and allowing the gangs to penetrate their morals- they need to take the power back! The adults need to show the kids that life is never easy, and anything worth attaining takes work, and discipline and self confidence. The adults need to make a statement that there are possibilities and goals that are available to the kids outside of the realm of the decay they see on a daily basis- make them want to strive to be better and to make the communities they live in better, they need positive influences and role models, then they will rise above. Any child of any race/ socio-economic background will live up to the standards set for them- no matter how low or high you set the bar. -
Answered No
it is not to call them criminals, one poverty was no ttheir choice, they were lured into gangs, so they could have been threatened, or forced. they cannot be call criminals because they never willingly opted for gangs. i beleive they had to choose between death and the gangs as well. -
Answered Yes
If they commit a crime, they are criminals