Vice Essentials Season 1 Episode 4 The War on Kids

The Vice Essentials season 1 episode 4 titled "The War on Kids" takes a closer look at the trends of juvenile detention, profiling some of the key players in the problem.

The episode opens with a brief history of juvenile detention in the United States and the roots of the phenomenon. Interviews with scholars and authors provide context on the current state of juvenile detention centers and the negative impacts they can have on young people.

Throughout the episode, Vice explores what can happen to kids who get trapped within the system and how their experiences within detention centers can ultimately shape their lives. Through interviews with psychologists and former inmates, viewers gain insight into the psychological toll of being incarcerated at a young age and how it can affect a person for years or even the rest of their life.

The scope of the problem is examined from a macro level as well, with discussions about the ways systemic poverty and discrimination contribute to the disproportionate incarceration of minorities within the juvenile detention system. The problem is further compounded by the fact that many of these kids are incarcerated due to minor infractions - often for what would be considered normal adolescent behavior in more privileged communities.

The episode doesn't just focus on the negative aspects of the issue, however. It also explores some of the solutions that are being implemented to help reform the system and provide kids with alternatives to incarceration. From community programs to legislative changes, Vice offers hope for a brighter future for young people caught up in the juvenile legal system.

Overall, "The War on Kids" is a thought-provoking and informative episode that sheds light on the recurring problem of juvenile detention in the United States. It instructs viewers in a manner that convinces them that reform is necessary and possible. For anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the life and struggles of young people who have been incarcerated, this episode is a must-watch.