Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

The state of Louisiana has the highest prison population in America, which has the highest prison population in the world. The overwhelming number of prisoners locked up in Louisiana prison are Black men, women, and children. Collectively, these Black prisoners generate tens of millions of dollars that helps maintain Louisiana’s industrial complex, and it modern life trade of Black subjects whereas, in the past Black slaves fetched hundreds of dollars on the slave trade market in Louisiana, and throughout the United States, today Black incarcerated prisoners/slaves bring in over $30,000 each on an annual basis. Black prisoners are definitely a valuable monetary resource, that also create good paying jobs with fringe benefits (i.e., principals, teachers, maintenance and janitorial staff, dietitians and chefs/ cooks, security guards, wardens, counselors, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists, clergy, mechanics, etc.) and the construction of correctional centers throughout the parishes of Louisiana, and the nation. When it comes to the Swanson Center here in Monroe, LA, instead of providing rehabilitation, and post release opportunities and training for our Black children, the focus has always been on punishment, demerits, recidivism, preparation and conditioning for adult prison life. What serves as a warehouse for Black youth from juvenile to adult prisons. What in other juvenile facilities like it are feeder camps for adult prisons. What is a gateway and revolving door in the supply chain of continued Black enslavement through the criminal system that perpetrates racism and discrimination against Black people regardless of sex, age, social, or political status. District 34 State Senator Katrina Jackson of Monroe, LA may have good intentions concerning her proposed legislation to charge and treat juveniles like adults, or to remedy their negative behavior by locking them down in individual dorm rooms, etc., instead of the current open-dormitory congregate and sleeping arrangements, but she must realize that such adverse and punitive actions do nothing for the rehabilitation of our Black children, so that when they are released back into our community, they can function as law-abiding and productive citizens. Firstly, charging Black children as adults takes away their current rights under law to be treated differently from adults, and to not have their juvenile criminal history serve as a deterrent to their future reintegration into society. It is well-known that the misdemeanor and felony charges, and convictions that become a part of adults’ records can prevent them from getting jobs, voting, licenses, gun permits, renting, travel, and a host of other rights. Youths shouldn’t have this burden even before they become adults. Locking youth up in single rooms is equal to replacing them “in the hole” in solitary confinement without weighing the social or psychological effects endured as a result of their alienation. Bad idea, Senator Jackson. What’s needed is to address Swanson, or other juvenile facilities’ problems, is for Senator Jackson, and all other local, state, and nationally elected officials to focus on the root causes of juvenile unrest, and negative behavior at Swanson and other juvenile facilities through direct contact and interviews with juvenile inmates, along with all juvenile facilities’ management and operations, living arrangements and conditions, educational and career training, recreational outlets, clothing/hygiene, food service and quality, rules, policies, visitation, etc. Vote!