What do you think the minimum age should be from which people can be imprisoned for committing crimes?

[aviya]

In South Africa, no one under the age of 18 can be sent to prison, as they are minors and are presumed to not have full capacity. The age of majority has recently been lowered, however, as it was previously 21. When the age of majority was 21, it was only people who committed murder, rape or other very violent crimes that could be sentenced at age 18. Technically (although this has not yet happened), an 18 year old can now be imprisoned for theft or other non-violent crimes. I (along with many other South Africans) am very upset by this, as rehabilitative programmes are far more effective than retributive justice when young people are the perpetrators of crime.

My question therefore, is, what do you think the minimum age should be at which people who commit crimes can be sentenced to prison? What types of crimes (if any) do you think young people should be imprisoned for?

Finally, what do you think is the best way of dealing with juvenile offenders. As I've said, in South Africa, most offenders under the age of 21 are put in rehabilitative programmes, and are given community service. Under the apartheid government, they were given lashes. Anyone under the age of 14 in South Africa is presumed doli incapax (unable to have criminal intent), although this is only irrebuttable from the age of 7 and below. So I am referring mainly to people between the ages of 15-21.

What are the laws on this issue in the country or state (if you are from the U.S.) where you come from?

And, of course, what is your opinion on the original question.

Many thanks

[freedom97]

It is eighteen for PRISON here too. but you can be locked up in other facilities at earlier ages.

I would say 12 or thirteen for jail, mental hospital at any age.

[gideon]

12.

[lintun]

I think 15