An Unreasonable Punishment in an Unprecedented Time : Black Teen in Jail Over Not Doing Homework

An Unreasonable Punishment in an Unprecedented Time: Black Teen in Jail Over Not Doing Homework

 Judge Mary Ellen Brennan of Michigan 

Picture source: Dailymail.uk

For most people throughout the world, the COVID-19 global pandemic has caused financial strain, stress, and an unpredictable future. Basic means of survival are on the minds of most people in lieu of trivial things that will not make in impact for their needs. This is why people do not understand the unreasonable and petty reason behind Judge Mary Ellen Brennan’s to keep a 15-year old behind bars for not completing her online school assignments as she was on probation.

The 15-year old black girl from Michigan was originally put into a juvenile detention facility last year after being charged with theft and assault. Prior to the global pandemic, part of the teenager’s probation requirements was to complete her school work assignments. However, some schools were closed or changed to an online only format. This changed the learning and routine for the teen who suffers from ADHD. Eventually, the teen failed to complete all schoolwork in the subsequent weeks, prompting her caseworker to file a violation of probation.

During the pandemic, many adult prisoners jailed over non-violent crimes were released from prison in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This is why many people such as the teens mother, thinks that it is unreasonable to keep her child locked away. On May 8, 2020, Judge Brennan ruled that the teen had violated probation because of the missing homework assignments. Brennan claims the sentence was not intended to be a punishment, but would rather be an opportunity for the teen to get treatment and services. Unless things change, the teen will remain inside juvenile detention until a new hearing is held on September 8, 2020.  

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” the teen’s mother has reportedly said.


https://www.blacknews.com/news/grace-15-year-old-black-girl-sent-juvenile-detention-not-doing-online-homework

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8521993/Black-girl-15-sent-juvenile-detention-failing-complete-HOMEWORK.html