The Miami Herald’s recent investigation into Florida’s juvenile justice system has laid bare a grotesque reality that is both heartbreaking and enraging. Imagine being a child, guilty of poor decisions—perhaps even criminal acts—only to find yourself thrust into a system where the odds are stacked against you. But not just in the typical sense. In Florida, if you’re a child caught in the web of the criminal justice system, you might find yourself on the receiving end of treatment that is not only unfair but downright inhumane.
The investigation, fittingly dubbed “Fight Club,” uncovered a horrifying culture of violence within Florida’s juvenile detention facilities. Guards, the very people tasked with rehabilitating these youths, were instead orchestrating fights, pitting child against child in brutal brawls, often for their own amusement. This practice, sickeningly termed “honey bunning,” involved offering snacks to kids as rewards for engaging in violent behavior. This isn’t the stuff of nightmares; this is the reality for far too many minors in Florida’s juvenile justice system.
What’s worse, the Miami Herald found that many of these guards had no business being around children in the first place. Some had criminal backgrounds, others were dismissed from previous posts due to misconduct, yet they somehow found employment within Florida’s juvenile facilities, often run by private companies eager to cut corners for profit. The investigation revealed that these facilities, operating with taxpayer money, were often in disrepair, with violence and neglect rampant.
But perhaps the most damning aspect of the investigation is the revelation of Florida’s “direct file” law. This law, unique in its breadth, allows prosecutors to charge minors as adults without the oversight of a judge. The implications of this are staggering. A 14-year-old, still in the throes of adolescence, can be thrown into the adult criminal justice system, facing harsher penalties than even some adults would receive for similar crimes. And who suffers most from this draconian practice? Minority communities, particularly Black and Hispanic youths, who are disproportionately targeted and sentenced under this law.
The Miami Herald’s investigation paints a bleak picture, but it’s not one without hope. Reform is possible—if Florida has the will to embrace it. The solutions lie in what some advocates are calling S.M.A.R.T. on crime policies. These are strategies that emphasize being Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound in their approach to reforming the juvenile justice system.
Specific: The first step towards meaningful reform is specificity. Florida must be clear about what it wants to achieve. This includes abolishing the “direct file” law and implementing judicial oversight to ensure that no child is unjustly thrust into the adult criminal system. It’s about setting concrete goals that can directly address the issues at hand.
Measurable: Success in reform requires measurable outcomes. Florida should establish clear metrics to gauge the effectiveness of reforms. This could include tracking recidivism rates, monitoring the racial disparities in sentencing, and ensuring that children are receiving the rehabilitative services they need. Data-driven approaches have proven to be effective in other states, and Florida can no longer afford to rely on intuition or outdated practices.
Achievable: Reform must be within reach. While overhauling an entire system might seem daunting, focusing on achievable steps—like improving the conditions within juvenile facilities or offering more support for at-risk youth—can pave the way for larger, more comprehensive reforms. Achievability also means ensuring that the necessary resources and funding are in place to support these changes.
Relevant: The reforms must address the root causes of the issues. It’s not enough to treat the symptoms; Florida must tackle the systemic problems that have led to the current state of its juvenile justice system. This includes addressing the socio-economic factors that contribute to youth crime and providing community-based alternatives to incarceration. Relevance ensures that the reforms are not just about making changes but making the right changes.
Time-bound: Finally, any meaningful reform must be bound by time. Florida cannot afford to wait decades for change. The state should set clear deadlines for implementing reforms, with regular assessments to ensure progress is being made. Time-bound goals keep the pressure on policymakers and ensure that the momentum for change is not lost.
The findings of the Miami Herald’s investigation are a wake-up call for Florida. The state’s juvenile justice system is in desperate need of reform, not just for the sake of justice but for the future of its children. It’s time to stop treating these kids as throwaways and start seeing them as the human beings they are—deserving of compassion, support, and a second chance.
In a world where justice is often elusive, Florida has an opportunity to lead by example, to show that even the most broken systems can be rebuilt with the right vision and the courage to act. The Miami Herald has done its part in uncovering the truth. Now it’s up to Florida to act on it. The time for reform is not tomorrow—it’s now.
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor
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