ASSIGNMENT 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXjlEqlPkAI&t=3s

Directions:Read the summary, watch the video and answer the discussion questions. A transcript of the video is availablehereLinks to an external site..

Summary:Bryan Stevenson is an American lawyer, social justice activist and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. He is also author of the bestselling 2014 memoir "Just Mercy," which details his work on behalf of those who receive unequal treatment in the criminal justice system, including children.

• "I went to law school because I was concerned about inequality and injustice," Stevenson says. "And it didn't seem like those were priorities in my first year of law school."
• Stevenson helped to push a Supreme Court decision that prohibits sentencing children to death or life imprisonment without parole.

Thirty years later, he's still at it. Along with his colleagues at the Equal Justice Initiative, he's still taking the kinds of cases he documented in his 2014 bestselling memoir "Just Mercy."

Discussion:

Warm up questions take notes while watching the video:

1. Whatare some of Stevenson's goals and accomplishments?
2. Whois Bryan Stevenson, and what organization is he a part of?
3. Whydoes Stevenson think it's important to defend those accused of a crime?
4. Whenand Where has Stevenson argued about prohibitions on children being sentenced to death or life without parole?
5. Howdoes Stevenson see the criminal justice system as unequal or unfair?

Focus questions:

6. What do you think Stevenson means when he says, "We are all more than the worst thing we have ever done." Do you think children who commit very serious crimes should have the opportunity to become "more than the worst thing [they] have ever done?"

7. After watching this interview, why do you think Stevenson called his memoir "Just Mercy"? What do you think "just mercy" means?

Media literacy:When you see someone accused or convicted of a crime on news reports, how are they normally portrayed? How often do you see stories about people who have served time for crimes compared to those convicted or on trial?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT 2:

1. What are the federal acts , amendments and bodies that addressed juvenile confinement and the various guidelines implemented?

2. Describe the court cases that affected juvenile corrections and punishment in the United States?

3. List and Explain the Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention Act core components as they relate to sentencing and corrections.

4. List and Explain custodial and noncustodial correctional treatment options.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT 3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VBPhQ1GOSo&t=8s

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/statistical-briefing-book/special_topics/state-juvenile-justice-profiles

Summary

On any given night, nearly 50,000 youth are incarcerated in facilities away from home in the United States. When children are incarcerated at age 17 or younger, 71 percent end up rearrested within three years of release, according to the Department of Justice. The nonprofit Avenues for Justice, an alternative to incarceration program, keeps 97 percent of its clients from returning to prison after a three-year period. The PBS NewsHour's Tim McPhillips talks to Avenues for Justice and other youth incarceration experts about the support kids need to succeed and what helps break the cycle.

1. Whatis the purpose of Avenues for Justice?

2. Where does Avenues for Justice operate?

3. Who does Avenues for Justice work with?

4. Howdoes their program aim to prevent young people from returning to the juvenile justice system?

5. Whydo many young people often end up returning to juvenile detention?

Focus Questions

After watching this story, what do you think is the best way to help prevent formerly incarcerated young people from being sent back to prison?Click here for link to statistics from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency PreventionLinks to an external site.

6. What are the rate of youth in detention in your state?

7. What is the most common offense?

8. Are there any disparities in the data (race, age, ethnicity)?