Major violent offences are being carried out by children more often. While some would argue that they should get the same treatement as grown-ups because this would ensure that the victims are given justice, I believe that they are not old enough to be aware of what they are doing, and rehabilitation is a better option.
On the one hand, treating young violent criminals like they are over-18 gives the victims justice. Someone who has lost a loved one would find it very difficult if the perpetrator was not sentenced to prison because they are no old enough. Their relative is still dead or injured no matter how old the criminal is. For example, the mother of Jamie Bulger said that it was like the crime happening all over again when she heard her son´s murderers were released earlier than expected because they committed the crime when they were only 11 years old. However, I believe that a criminal´s age should be taken into consideration because they are not fully developed as human beings.
On the other hand, it is though that children who carry out acts of violence are not aware of their actions because of their age. A young child does not know, to the same degree as adults, that their violent actions will result in death or serious injury. This is why young murderers in the United Kingdom are rehabilitated and given new identities so they can live a normal adult like outside of prison. I believe this school of thought is preferable because it helps the young criminal reform and ensures that they do not carry out serious crimes again.
In conclusion, although sending young criminals who have committed violent atrocities to adult prisons gives the victims some justice, the criminals themselves should also be seen as victims, because they were not aware of their actions and that is why trying to make them model citizens again is a more preferable option.