Discussion 1- Dr. Gary Slutkin, a physician and epidemiologist, employs disease control and behavior change methods in establishing the nonprofit Cure Violence.
As with all contagious diseases, Dr. Slutkin advocates for the full participation of the Public Health sector in preventing and reducing gun violence. Listen to the podcast (or read the transcript) of Dr. Slutkin speak on the public health crisis of gun violence. What are your thoughts? Is the use of "violence interrupters" a valid arsenal in our response to the epidemic of gun violence?
Discussion 2- What is your experience with gangs? Survey the problems in your community using The National Gang Center website. Why are the young people joining them?
Do TV and/or movies play a part in their livelihood? How do we address this type of problem? Can our conventional programs work anymore? Does targeting a gang's finances, as California is attempting, get to the heart of the issue? What steps would like to see happen in your own community?
Discussion 3- Recently the United States Supreme Court ruled that juveniles under the age of eighteen (18) are no longer subject to the death penalty. In many states, however, juveniles can still be sentenced to "life without parole" (LWOP). On May 17, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Graham v. Florida that juveniles should not be sentenced to LWOP for any crime less than homicide.
On June 25, 2012, the Court further addressed this matter in Miller v. Alabama, holding that mandatory life without parole for those under the age of 18 violates the 8th Amendment prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishments."
Please read an excerpt from The Supreme Court and the Transformation of Juvenile Sentencing on the Court's "transformation of the constitutional landscape" with respect to juvenile sentencing. What are your thoughts?
Discussion 4- The death penalty has posed heated debates for generations. What is the goal of the death penalty and is it being achieved? Also discuss whether the death penalty should be abolished or not.