Justice for Juveniles: Interview with Susan, an Advocate for Juvenile Offenders

When juveniles break the law, should they be tried as an adult? If found guilty, should they be housed in an adult facility? This is my interview with Susan, an advocate for juvenile offenders. She speaks about her activism, the groups she is active with, and some of the cases she is working on. She tells us about the case of Eric Hainstock, a juvenile from Wisconsin.

Could you give us a bio of yourself?

I'm Susan from the Chicago area, 46 years old, married, mother of 2 teenaged sons. I have a Bachelor's degree in Music and have worked as a teacher in the past, but currently am a school Bus Driver believe it or not! The hours and pay are great for a part-time job giving me time to work on Advocacy projects and be home with my boys. I am also reminded every day of how immature and impulsive children can be which ties in with the Advocating I do to keep children in Juvenile courts. I'm also very spiritual having studied many religions since high school and currently finding some answers to 'Life' from the great psychic Sylvia Browne. I also just watched 'The Secret', and totally believe in the power of positive thinking which our God works through us if we only stop to listen.

How did you get started advocating for juveniles, and was there any specific thing that influenced this?

I have been an Advocate for Human and Animal Rights in small ways forever, but it was the case of Christopher Pittman, a 12-year-old boy from South Carolina who really got me involved with being a Juvenile Justice Advocate. Christopher killed his beloved grandparents in 2001 after being put on adult dosages of Zoloft, an antidepressant, which his supporters believe caused him to become Involuntarily Intoxicated, take his grandfather's rifle, and kill the 2 people he loved most in the world. South Carolina tried and sentenced this child as an adult to 30 years in prison. Thankfully his case was heard before their state Supreme Court in October, and we are still waiting for the decision which we hope will be in his favor and help other children's cases in the future as well.

By advocating, what exactly do you do, and what do you hope for the youth in our nation?