IntroductionIn 1899, the juvenile justice system was established in the United States, in the state of Illinois. The goal was to improve the well-being and rehabilitation of youth incarcerated in the juvenile justice system. The court mainly focused on rehabilitating the youths rather than punishing them, given that they are still immature and growing. Specialized detention centers, youth centers and training schools were established to treat young offenders separately from adult offenders in adult institutions. “Of these, around 14,500 are housed in adult establishments. The largest proportion, approximately 9,100 youth, are incarcerated in local jails, and approximately 5,400 youth are incarcerated in adult jails” (Austin, 2000). The quagmire of placing juveniles in adult facilities lies in the risk factors that juveniles may encounter while incarcerated. Since juveniles are young and smaller than adult offenders, they may be seen as prey or an easy target for rape, assault, and mental issues that could eventually lead to suicide. We must keep in mind that juveniles are youth, which means they are still children, not adults, and should not be exposed to an adult incarceration environment. Although it is economical to place juveniles and adults in one facility, it is unethical because they are not built and yet mentally ready and prepared to experience adult facilities. Alternative strategies are available to help juvenile prisoners, such as health care, education, recreation, and work experience. The Juvenile Court Act of 1899 granted clemency to youth under the age of 16. Placing juvenile inmates with adult offenders will result in a reduction in rehabilitation services for youth, while increasing the rate of victims as potential prey.... ... middle of paper ...... incidence national level of juvenile suicide in adult prisons, cells and juvenile detention centers. National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Accessed April 14, 2014, from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/73555NCJRS.pdfCOLLOCATION OF JUVENILE AND ADULT FACILITIES. (2005). Journal of Juvenile Justice Services, 20(2), 9-10. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy121.nclive.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=f d377b14-7400-4d97-b4ab-0b2b13f5514a%40sessionmgr4004&hid=4210Godinez, S.A. (1999). Management of minors in adult establishments. Corrections Today, 61(2), 86. http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy121.nclive.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=f d377b14-7400-4d97-b4ab-0b2b13f5514a%40sessionmgr4004&hid =4210#Bois, A. (2012). CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT: CONFINEMENT OF JUVENILES WITH ADULTS AFTER GRAHAM AND MILLER. Emory Law Review, 61(6), 1445- 1491