Part 3: Newspaper Article

First Newspaper Article

Convicted: Alex Sawyer
By: Gregory Decyk


Another youth sent to the Furnace Penitentiary. Alex Sawyer, 14, was convicted today of murdering Toby, his good friend. Alex and Toby were burglarizing a house and although the exact details are sketchy, Alex killed Toby.  Alex claims he is innocent, that he was framed. Alex faces life in prison at the Furnace. The trial started yesterday and concluded today. It took the jury only 40 minutes of deliberations to decide Alex's fate: GUILTY!

Is this the correct route for dealing with crime in youth? Alex has had a short trial. He was found guilty and is to be sent to the Furnace with no chance of parole. Ever since the Summer of Slaughter, society has over reacted and has taken measures and steps, that in this journalist's view, are "over the top". Is it in fact that the children have failed society or has society failed children? Are these children such monsters that they should be locked away for life? Children are like clay, you have to work them and mold them to become good citizens.

Guilty or not, Alex Sawyer is going to the Furnace. Is society now a better place without him?

Reflection

I chose to write this article to highlight the social injustice around the treatment of children in Lockdown. I think the author's choice of locking children away for life because of their crimes against society is harsh and ineffective. It is clear from the novel that the children are smart and clever. For instance, Alex's escape plan. Specifically his plan to fill the gloves with a substance that will explode and create a hole in the rock. Alex and his comrades are intelligent people. Putting that intellect to a positive use is better than using it for negative purposes. Now in Canada, we rehabilitate children so they can have a brighter future.

The article I wrote questions the author's messages on social injustices. The author wrote the article as an exaggeration to get his points across regarding children. He took it to the extreme with putting the children away for life. I think he wanted the reader to think about what do you do with children when they commit such crimes? My article looks at some of those questions.



Second Newspaper Article

"What lies ahead for Omar Khadr?", CBC News - link to article http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2008/07/16/f-khadr-legal-options.html


Reflection

The story around Omar Khadar is a current example of social injustices surrounding children. Omar Khadar, a Canadian citizen, is accused of throwing a grenade that killed an American soldier in Afghanistan at the age of 15. Omar was captured and put in prison at Guantanamo Bay. The injustice is how they treated him while he waits for the governments to decide his fate.

I thought Omar Khadar's situation is comparable to Alex's situation at the Furnace. Omar has been captured and put in an adult prison which technically, is even an illegal prison. Alex at least has got the benefit of a trial, where as Omar has been in prison for years and has not had a trial yet. International politics are making his situation even more difficult. His treatment in prison and tactics used on him, including sleep deprivation, to confess to his crime are unacceptable for a child. The situation is similar to how Alex was questioned for three weeks and was becoming so confused. Omar's situation confirms my belief that children, like Alex in Lockdown, should not be treated in such a horrendous manner.