Children commit crimes against adults. The problem is how to punish them? Should they be treated in juvenile facilities or punished like adult criminals? So in some states, you're considered an adult at age 17, because criminals are placed "in adult prisons for more sophisticated training on violent crime and victimization." » (Pg. 637) The first article; “Adult crime; Adult time. by Linda J. Collier explains how the young delinquents of the world should be thrown in with the hardened criminals. She talks about the incident in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in which 11-year-old Andrew Golden and 13-year-old Mitchell Johnson massacred their classmates while fleeing the school building. They pulled the fire alarm and began their assault with a barrage of bullets. In this particular situation, “they are still considered by the law as children first and as criminals second” (p. 620). This is not the first time young children have committed such crimes, but the average rate of violence committed by children has increased by 60% since 1984. She says that because of these statistics, we need to modernize the justice system. juvenile justice. “In recent years, many states have changed their juvenile crime laws and some have lowered the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult for certain violent crimes. » (Pg. 620) According to this author, she believes that this is a start in the right direction. She says she has represented children as a court-appointed guardian and is honored to try to help children out of their difficulties, often caused by circumstances beyond their control. Yet for violent crimes, she believes that "children who knowingly engage in adult conduct and crimes should automatically be subject to adult rules and adult prison time." » (Pg. 622). In the second article "Cruel Punishment for Juveniles", the authors take a different view from Linda J. Collier. Treating minors like adults only helps society forget that they are still children. They believe that subjecting children to adult punishment is cruel and unusual. They think: “Most young criminals do not become adult criminals. There are turning points ---- a quality education, a well-paying job, a stable marriage --- that help young offenders become law-abiding adults. (Pg. 637) Some community-based youth care programs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of minors. Smith and Chester talk about Frankie; a 17-year-old who was arrested for breaking and entering.