Does prison labor for children still exist like the historical House of Reform in Kentucky? Do children have to work in juvenile facilities as they once did? Should they have to?

Does prison labor for children still exist like the historical House of Reform in Kentucky? Do children have to work in juvenile facilities as they once did? Should they have to?

I read that the KY House of Reform was established in 1897. Both boys and girls ages 8 to 21 worked on the farm and rock quarry. Whipping, "the Hole" and 35 pound leg chains were used to control inmates. In 1970 Governor Nunn made a surprise visit and was appalled by the conditions there. The state switched to a system of regional centers geared to specific age groups, interests and seriousness of offenses. It was unthinkable that Honey could be sent there because she was considered an orphan (both parents in prison) with no relatives to live with.

Because of labor laws enacted in states and at the national level, today there are no reform schools, per se, but juvenile correctional centers exist. For troubled youths, reform schools have been replaced by therapeutic boarding schools or residential treatment centers.

In my state child labor was regulated by the state. It was a requirement to get working papers to do seasonal jobs such as haying and harvesting at 14 and at 16 for retail work. Farm children were not require to getworking papers and were just expected to do. family chores.

I would hope they no longer exist. However there are many privately run reform schools that I am not sure are much better. I hear from time to time of those being investigated for neglect and abuse of the children they are housing and even the foster homes children are put into aren't always ideal situations. Children are not always treated like the precious commodity they are and as a nation we need to do much better.

I think that is state regulated. It seems that not long ago a boys camp or reform school was shut down for mistreating their charges. Over working them. Too many private institutions like that still exist. There is a local 'Ranch' in my area that houses both girls and boys. I know there is a working component to that facility, along with school, volunteerism, and free time. Not sure how it is run now, but knowing one young man who was there for a few years time, he says it saved his life. However I am sure not all facilities are run the same.

I believe that all children should have chores, equivalent to their age. That helps teach responsibility, teamwork and family, as long as it is not abusive.