I read with dismay the comments of Donn Rowe, president of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, dismissing prison rape as not a "huge issue" ("State to add rape prevention staff," July, 29) in making a political point about prison closures. Prison rape is a real threat to children in the criminal justice system and New York should be taking serious steps to eliminate it.
The federal Prison Rape Elimination Act requires the segregation of adults and children in the prison system. That makes sense, as children who are processed through the adult prison system are far more likely to be victims of sexual assault and violence than children in the youth justice system.
These children also exhibit high rates of recidivism and are less likely to turn their lives around. New York should take direct action to improve the outcomes for these children by treating them as children, rather than adults.
New York is the only state other than North Carolina that treats 16-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. By raising the age at which children are charged as adults to 18, children would receive the appropriate services and be housed separately from adults, protecting them as well as public safety. This would be smart policy and help ensure that New York is compliant with Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Kate Breslin
President and CEO, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
Albany