CLEVELAND, Ohio-Efrain, just shy of 19, grapples with his incarceration in an adult prison for attempted murder committed as a juvenile. His troubles trace back to a day in 2020 when he prioritized homework over hanging out with his friend, who was later killed in a drug deal gone wrong.
Efrain blames himself for the tragedy, feeling responsible for his friend’s death. His story is one of many illustrating the journey of over 50 juvenile offenders within the Cuyahoga County juvenile justice system, shedding light on the influences leading to crime, the escalation of behavior, and the barriers hindering their path to redemption.
