My 13-year-old grandson is currently incarcerated within the cold and estranging confines of an adult prison for a crime he allegedly committed. With the minimal guidance he receives from professionals who understand adolescence and its challenges, he’s left to navigate this harsh environment filled with people much older and often more hardened in their criminal behavior. It's a heartbreaking and grievously inappropriate situation.

In the United States, as per the Equal Justice Initiative, approximately 10,000 children are housed in adult jails and prisons on any given day. This number isn't just a statistic - it is composed of real children, like my grandson, who are put at great risk both mentally and physically. The Prison Policy Initiative found that young people in adult prisons are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted than in juvenile facilities, and they are 36 times more likely to commit suicide.

We believe that a child's mistake shouldn't define their future. Kids need guidance, not punishment that exacerbates existing issues. Confining young offenders with adult inmates incredibly hampers their chances of reformation and increases recidivism rates.

Equip juvenile delinquents with the resources and education necessary for change. After all, isn't rehabilitation the ultimate aim of correctional facilities? Let's ensure that our system is equipped to deal with the unique requirements and vulnerabilities of young offenders. We urge lawmakers, judicial authorities, and the public to rally behind the movement of implementing a separate, youth-centered approach to juvenile justice system.

Please do not let another minor suffer in an environment not built for them. Sign this petition to prevent juvenile offenders from being incarcerated in adult prisons.