Indiana

Nine Strikes and You?re Out

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

I spent some time Monday reading through the probable cause affidavit regarding Shamus Patton.  What was more disturbing than the fact he allegedly shot at and could have killed nine people that night, was the fact that he had nine previous run-ins with the law.

According to the affidavit, Patton has had nine referrals to juvenile court since 2008.  Since he is a juvenile, his record is shielded from the public by law, but it has to make you wonder at what point do we as a society say enough is enough.  I am all for giving individuals a second chance, but nine?

How many times does someone have to screw up before we go pick them up and politely put them somewhere in an orange jumpsuit.  I am told by my sources that it is not uncommon for a juvenile on probation to commit multiple offenses and still not have to spend any time in the Department of Corrections.

I truly think it’s time to start taking a second look at juvenile corrections.  There should not be this revolving door that lets someone like a Shamus Patton venture in and out of the system nine times over a two-year period.  Should the law be changed to a “three strikes and you’re out until you’re an adult”?  Maybe.  But something apparently is not working and it’s time to fix it before we have another Shamus Patton on our hands who turns out to be a better shot than the last one.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on July 27, 2010 (boomark / email).