Entertainment

John Oliver Unleashes on America’s Broken Juvenile Justice System: ‘It Makes No Sense!’

2025-06-16

Author: Wai

John Oliver's Bold Return to the Spotlight

In a powerful return to Last Week Tonight, John Oliver tackled the controversial issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the shocking state of the juvenile justice system in the U.S. Following protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Oliver criticized the military's deployment to the area, calling it an extreme measure that costs taxpayers a staggering $134 million for unnecessary military presence.

A Daring Look at Authoritarianism

“This is it,” Oliver declared, as he condemned ICE's aggressive raids targeting undocumented immigrants. He highlighted the troubling trend toward authoritarianism under the Trump administration, where government agents operate with little oversight and even less compassion.

A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Cruelty

Despite the darkness of the current political climate, Oliver reminded viewers of the ongoing 'No Kings' protests, which symbolize hope and courage in a turbulent time. He emphasized, “We are living through a time in American history that will be remembered for acts of incredible cruelty, but I hope it will also be remembered for acts of courage and defiance.”

The Alarming Reality of the Juvenile Justice System

Then, Oliver turned the spotlight on the U.S. juvenile justice system, revealing an alarming truth: it is often more flawed and regulated than the adult version. In 2022 alone, juvenile courts handled over 611,000 cases, with thousands of youths incarcerated.

“We are leading the world in youth incarceration,” he quipped, highlighting the absurdity of being on such a disturbing leaderboard. The Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty shows that America’s rate of youth incarceration far surpasses other nations.

Opaque and Unequal: A System in Crisis

With hearings frequently closed to the public, the juvenile system lacks accountability, Oliver pointed out. Children, not miniature adults, require a framework that accounts for their developmental stage. Yet, many are left adrift in a confusing system with little understanding of their rights, resulting in as many as 90% waiving their Miranda rights.

Trials Without Juries: A Recipe for Injustice

In juvenile trials, judges hold immense power with no jury present, often making life-altering decisions with significant bias. Some states don’t even set a minimum age for sending kids to detention,

leading to horrific situations. One mother described a Michigan juvenile facility inundated with sewage—far from the rehabilitative spaces they are meant to be.

The Dark Reality of Solitary Confinement

Oliver didn’t shy away from discussing the traumatic use of solitary confinement in juvenile centers, disguised with euphemisms like ‘seclusion’ or ‘isolation.’ He recounted a former detainee's harrowing experience of being held in isolation for four days, likening it to torture.

Reform is Necessary for Justice

Despite the gravity of the issues, Oliver maintained that this information isn’t new; we’ve known about the abuses in juvenile detention facilities for decades. “Locking kids up en masse is not the answer to public safety,” he said. In fact, it often exacerbates re-offending. “Locking kids up, over the long run, makes no sense.”

A Call for Meaningful Change

Oliver passionately argued for sweeping reforms, advocating for children to have legal representation throughout the entire process. He highlighted successful alternatives such as community-focused interventions that are unfortunately facing severe budget cuts.

While acknowledging that some children may pose real risks, he argued that any necessary confinement should look nothing like adult prisons. “Reform has to be a continuous commitment,” he concluded, emphasizing that every child, regardless of their mistakes, deserves safety, respect, and the chance to thrive.