There once was a man who had a cattle herd on a small farm. He made the herd his son’s responsibility. The son would check the fence lines, feed and water the cattle, move them from field to field, tend to the sick and young, and generally care for the animals.
When the son graduated high-school and left for college, the father sold the herd. When asking his father the reason for the dispersal, the son questioned “Why don’t you want to raise cattle anymore?” The father replied, “I wasn’t raising cattle, I was raising a son.”
(A true story)
SQUARE ONE RANCH
VIOLENT OFFENDERS PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The philosophical question is often asked, “what do we do with young teens who have committed violent crimes,” or “what makes a child do such a thing.” The far majority of young teens committing crimes are products of the same. Many are abused or neglected, most are reared as much by their environment as they are by a caregiver, and others are manipulated, exploited, and taught by a “street culture” surrounding them. In a sense, many of these kids learn this behavior as a norm or even an expectation.
This does not provide them with an excuse, but it does provide society with an explanation. It is not so much something “making” a child behave this way, as it is a lack of “things” directing him NOT to behave this way. Often the little bit of positive direction and influence a child may receive is drowned out by the noise of culture surrounding him. A child, no matter how serene or chaotic his family life, MUST be instilled with mental and moral disciplines, and come to value these virtues. No adult behaves without value judgments directing or correcting his or her behavior. If that adult has never been instilled with the values of right and wrong, it is foolish to expect him to act accordingly. This absolute also rings true during incarceration.
Should a juvenile who commits "adult crime", do "adult time?" No. He will not learn moral virtues sitting on a cot during his formative year. Most prepubescent teenagers (age 10-13) have not yet formed the capability of abstract reasoning to the same degree as adults or even older teens. Therefore they will not function at the same intellectual capacity as older teens and adults. If we are to expect a child (or adult) to change his behavior, he must change his thinking.
Tragically, judges and district attorneys who try young violent offenders must currently choose one of only two options.
The first is to try them as a juvenile offender, and place them in a juvenile correction system.
This option:
Offers no hope or moral training
Provides an environment which fosters further criminal behavior, rather than
correct the behavior.
Allows records to be sealed or undisclosed.
Ensures the teen will be "released" in just 3-5 years.
The second option is to try them as an adult and place them in an adult prison system.
This option:
Lengthens the sentence
Eliminates the right of sealed records
Also offers little hope or moral training
Also provides an environment which will foster further criminal behavior rather than correct the behavior.
Due to a mandate and responsibility to protect the community, judicial officers feel they must choose the prison option.
Studies indicate that the prison and juvenile lock up has begun to have the opposite effect. In many cases, young teens become apprentices to others of illicit and fallen character with whom they have been locked up. In other words, their thinking most often becomes more criminal.
It is clear that the current state system design does not provide the moral and personal disciplines necessary to enable young boys convicted of violent crimes to later live hopeful, quality and meaningful lives. Moreover, their home or "social environment" has failed them (for one reason or another) as well. Therefore, we as a society have a moral, spiritual and social responsibility to ourselves and to these teens to intercept them and equip them with the skills and disciplines necessary to transform themselves.
Square One Ranch believes these boys must be given an opportunity for a complete change or departure from their old ways of thinking and old lifestyle.
Our research has not found any other private program that is set up specifically for juveniles participating in violent behavior. Many programs accept court referrals or those with behavioral difficulties, however "violent" kids are categorically excluded. Square One Ranch is committed to stop this detrimental social cycle.
At Square One Ranch, young men are taught positive values, skills and disciplines that will prepare them for a meaningful, positive, and productive life upon their return to the community.
For young violent teens, Square One Ranch is the first step in starting over.
If you would like to learn more about our program or receive more information on how you can partner with us through a tax deductible donation, please email us at the link below.