They Went to Prison as Kids. Now They're on Death Row

 

    After reading this article, I have learned that one's childhood trauma really has a lot to do with individuals that go to prison. Learning about Terence Andrus' story and how he suffered from parental neglect and psychosis and that the state did have a chance to help this 16 year-old kid, but chose not to. Andrus was exposed to gangs and dosed on psychotropic drugs and then thrown into solitary confinement more than 77 times! The amount of people this has happened to, and continues to happen to, is extremely frustrating and saddening. It is especially frustrating because when he was arrested for robbery, it was written on paper that he needed to be provided with an education, treatment, and skills, but this was not given to him. He never got the chance. 

    Situations like this where kids are not seen as human beings and are dehumanized needs to be changed as soon as possible! It feels like the state does not want to see people grow into a better version of themselves and would rather see them locked up because they don't believe in second chances. This also shows that the state is blind towards seeing how individuals can have a better life for themselves and stay out of prison.