Rehabilitate children instead

Regarding “Teenagers who kill” (Insight, Nov. 25): Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen’s piece asserts that some juvenile offenders never grow out of murder and that the signing of Senate Bill 1391 by the governor, which bars the state from trying 14- and 15-yearolds as adults, is a danger that will make society less safe.

This opinion might play on people’s base fears about violent teenagers being unleashed on society, but it certainly doesn’t coincide with the facts. Youth tried in the adult system have higher rates of recidivism than those kept in the juvenile system, particularly those convicted of violent crimes.

By 2016, our state saw a whopping 75 percent decrease in felony arrests of juveniles. Studies show that this drop wasn’t due to prosecuting more children in adult courts. This new law will hold the youngest teens accountable for their crimes and spur participation in age-appropriate rehabilitative programs and education.

Young people will receive individualized services to address mental and behavioral health, disabilities and childhood trauma. California’s juvenile system has a mandate to rehabilitate, not punish, children. If we do not foster the redemption of our children, there truly is no hope for tomorrow.

Jeff Adachi, San Francisco Public Defender