Incarcerated Youths in Canada and the United States: A Comparative Analysis

Author: Grace Mastrangelo

Field of Study: Social Sciences

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Alexandra Moore

Easel: 58

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Are children who commit adult crimes deserving of adult punishments? According to the United Nations, not if it harms their well-being. The U.N.’s primary treaty on children’s rights states that the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), all state actions, and government institutions involving children must prioritize children’s well-being, safety, health, and protection. Only one U.N. member state, out of 196, has not ratified the CRC: the United States. This is reflected in the U.S.’s juvenile justice system, which has been criticized since the 1980s for harsh sentencing and the incarceration of children in adult facilities. In contrast, Canada’s juvenile justice system emphasizes rehabilitation, restorative justice, and limits severe punishments for offenders. This project will compare juvenile sentencing laws in both countries under the framework of CRC compliance, analyzing the histories of these systems and how their policy differences impact juvenile offenders’ well-being.