You gotta cut the government some slack here, they have contracts with private prison providers and quotas to fulfill. Can't have compassion and reason get in the way of that.

Also think of the children.

Times are moving faster, you have to adapt. Efficiency is trump. Children are no exception here. You gotta see that there is just no time for things like 'being a child'.

With private prisons only holding about 8.4%[1] the total state/federal inmates, do you perhaps mean prison guard unions?

[1]http://www.salon.com/2016/08/24/private-prisons-are-not-the-...

Try them as an adult?

I don't understand.

A minor possessing selfies of a nude love relation should clearly be tried as an adult. For maximum ironic force.