Question 2 (5 points) Children and adults are different, a fact the law routinely recognizes when juveniles are prohibited from buying beer or casting a vote. Indeed, family and juvenile courts were created more than a century ago with the understanding that children who had broken the law were less responsible and less culpable than adults. This insight affirms what every parent knows: children often lack the maturity to make sound choices rooted in good judgment. Yet in recent years, many states have decided to sentence more children to the longer periods of incarceration normally reserved for adults, especially for serious and violent crimes.

That impulse may be understandable in many ways. But to treat children as adults contravenes both timeless parental wisdom and an improved understanding of youth development and brain functioning.

Studies show that youth processed in the adult system are likely to re-offend more quickly and at higher rates. Moreover, studies show that a criminal conviction and incarceration have long-term adverse social, educational and economic effects on youth, and that community-based supervision and treatment are, except for the highest-risk kids, far more successful and appropriate for juveniles.

We know that over punishing kids who do not pose a risk to public safety will actually increase their likelihood of committing crime. Thus, for years, taxpayers have been paying huge amounts of money to create a public safety problem that could have been easily avoided — at a fraction of the cost. For too long, we have defaulted to incarceration as a way to respond to all manner of adolescent behavior. It has been a misguided, expensive and harmful policy.

Which detail from the text best supports the answer above (the author's claim, or purpose)?

Question 2 options:

“Children and adults are different, a fact the law routinely recognizes when juveniles are prohibited from buying beer or casting a vote.

“Yet in recent years, many states have decided to sentence more children to the longer periods of incarceration normally reserved for adults, especially for serious and violent crimes.”

“Studies comparing the recidivism rates of youth processed in the juvenile system with those handled in the adult system indicate that youth processed in the adult system are likely to re—offend more quickly and at higher rates.”

“For too long, we have defaulted to incarceration as a way to respond to all manner of adolescent behavior.”