When Kids Are Punished Like Adults

In its premiere, Inside Story travels to Louisiana, where we find a community group protesting the state’s decision to move some youth to Angola, a notorious prison for adults.

Equal Justice Institute lawyer Bryan Stevenson talks with host Lawrence Bartley about juvenile justice reform — and Stevenson learns of a personal impact from his legal victories against life without parole or death sentences for children.

In an animated essay, Ymilul Bates recounts her experience visiting her son for the first time in a county jail when he was 19.

Bartley also shares a brief history of the detrimental “superpredator” term and his thoughts on some challenges young people face behind bars.

Reading list:

• Solitary Confinement Harms Teens. Louisiana Lawmakers Took a Step to Limit It.

• I Wonder If They Know My Son Is Loved