Something-teen years-old...inside of a juvenile detention center. Can you imagine it being you? Can you imagine it being your child?
On the weekend of the prestigious Howard University’s 2016 Commencement, I had the pleasure of visiting the Youth Rehabilitation Services Department, a facility known to detain male and female youth awaiting disposition by the courts and/or adjudication. The facility is required to provide 24-hour supervision of the youth as well as provide academic and comprehensive social services such as educational services, mental, behavioral and physical health care. But, not all things are what they appear to be.
I have an undying passion for crime and justice and the simple gesture of helping individuals in need, especially our youth. From the moment I first entered the facility, the only thing roaming my mind was, I wonder what’s going to happen when I see these children. Will they like me? Will they be receptive? I thought about my loved ones that are currently within the system and how much of an impact such an experience can have on people and their families. Any form of being detained by the law lacks attractiveness, especially a system made for people under the age of 18 years-old: children, preteens and teenagers.
After visiting this facility, I was most touched by the mere fact that children, the girls all wearing purple shirts and khaki pants, were a part of a system that lacked compassion and love. They were treated like complete criminals. I was surprised, in shock, lacking words for a brief minute. I visited this facility with three other young Howard University women, who too shared the same interests as myself.
It was lunch time when we first entered the youth version of a "cell block." All made of cement and steel, I knew I was living in a different world. Life behind those walls differed tremendously from what we call the "real world." The energy was different; I felt different.
In an attempt to introduce ourselves, the young girls disregarded our presence. It was mostly shocking to me because during what they call "chow time," they would exchange different parts of their meal, validating the stories already told today about the US jail/prison complex. I must say, it took awhile but the girls began to open up and introduce themselves. These young girls were between the ages of 14 and 17, with there being one 14 year-old and one 17 year-old. My thought process began to ramble because I was sitting with a group of young girls who were away from their family and lacking the love they deserved. What appeared to put me in disbelief the most was that the majority of their reasoning of being in a juvenile detention facility was for nonviolent crimes: running away from a situation they no longer felt comfortable in, running away from constant abuse, running away from a life they knew they did not deserve. Some had been in there just a day, others a couple of weeks, and others a few months. This was life for these young girls. But, it couldn't be.
These babies (because that is just what they were to me and to my naked eye) had piercings on their face and body, tattoos on their arms, hands, and face; but these were babies.
Once they felt comfortable enough to speak and interact with myself and the other three HU women, they could not stop, and I believe it was that moment that let me know that these young girls just don't receive the help, nurturing, education and genuine concern they need and deserve. I believe another shock of magic poked me when one of the young girls informed me that in the future, she plans to become a Marshal, a United States Marshal. In my head, I prayed to myself, "Lord, I pray that these young girls make it through this horrendous journey and be inspired to inspire others: friends, loved ones, strangers, those who need it."
How did I care so much about about complete strangers? How did I care so much about these children behind bars for 'committing' crimes?
The real question was How could I not care? As I looked around the facility, I didn't see love or the urgency for positive change from the staff. I knew in that moment that I cared and loved those young girls, even those who rejected our presence. Why? Because how could I not love and blatantly abandon young children who aren't being cared for properly, and loved unconditionally. I felt like I was their help, a person to talk open up to, a person to teach them that everyone you meet in the world is not 'bad,' and every other person is different from the other. I wanted them to know that somebody does love them.
This wasn't another episode of "Beyond Scared Straight:"
This was an episode of real life.
I think what hurt my heart the most is the fact that most of them are locked away for running away - running away from something. At these young ages, their minds and brains are constantly developing. Whether they are preteens or teenagers, these children are just that: children. Has anyone ever taken the time away to get to know these girls? Why are they angry? Why are they impulsive? The issue goes beyond prison walls, jail walls, juvenile hall walls. It is a problem of human services and human error.
Seeing the girls, the staff and the environment humbled me. We never know why someone is in the situation that they are in. We must stray away from judging. Why? Because what if it was you? Or worse...what if it was your child?
