When a 16-Year-Old Is Locked Up in a Supermax Prison | Stickup Kid | FRONTLINE
3,208,676
Published 2014-12-17
"Stickup Kid" tells the story of Alonza Thomas — who, at age 16, was sent to adult prison after being charged with armed robbery shortly after California enacted a new tough-on-juvenile-crime law.
Alonza went on to spend more than a decade behind bars.
Learn more about Alonza here: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/stickup-kid/
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All Comments (21)
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Did that guy seriously just say that an armed robbery is the worst crime one could commit outside of murder? I mean, it's a pretty serious crime, but what about rapists? Pedophiles? Child abusers? Stalkers? The fact that this was a minor being coerced by an adult never factored into this?
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Any kid committing an armed robbery should be punished by the law. However, sending a 15 yo for a 1st offense to a supermax prison is overkill.
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I love how wonderful his family is and that they supported him and one another all through this time
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I watch documentaries like this a lot but… wow this one wrecked me. I actually cried. You can hear the pain and confusion every time he talks. They completely broke him.
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At 15?? He did NOT have to do Federal time in Supermax!! He's from Cali, they could of just sent him to CYA. I have a friend who did the same thing at the same age. Did 6 years at YA, came out and now is one of the most successful and respected people in the community. Prison is no place for a kid. Period.
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I went to prison when I was 16 years old I did 6 years it was a dramatic experience it change me for the best and the worst but I understand what this dude is going through. I hope he gets it together. It was hard for me to readjust back to the real world but having family support or any type of support is helpful and a blessing. Now I’m doing good for my self and I have my FREEDOM
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Mr. Alonzo, you still look so young. I cried when I saw this. Then I saw what you did. They changed the law in several states because of you. You saved some children. Don't give up hope. I just saw that this was downloaded on Dec 17 2014. I pray you are well and happy.
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There's a lot about his time in prison, that isn't touched on. He was in prison for 13 years. He seen a lot and he did a lot. He had no business in a super max at 16 y/o. Very sad story.
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And the adult who scared him into committing the robbery should have been charged as well.
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Seeing that after so many months of being out he didn't resort to crime, and not in prison again made me really enjoy this young man's story even more. Thank you for not losing hope.
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To put a young man like this in Super Max where he automatically has to check in is incomprehensible.Most guys in SuperMax have been in and out of many prisons and are usually violent,to put this young man in a SuperMax prison is like putting a jr high school football player in the NFL, he will get crushed.The high and mighty judge would sing a different tune if the young man was his son!
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It's heartbreaking that Alonza is now on medication to help him cope, and he truly isn't himself after this unfortunate ordeal. This really has you appreciate life and how precious having a supportive loving family is. This tramatic experiences has scared him for the rest of his life, which all stemmed from a bad decision he made as a 16 yr old. I hope Alonza finds peace and some positive non threatening coping mechanisms so he can prosper as an adult.
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That man talking in sitting in the chair needs to be locked up to see if he would still say what he says after spending time in there
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The lack of compassion of that prosecutor is beyond words...
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"When the gun went off it slapped me to attention." You mean you weren't paying attention while attempting to pull off an armed robbery?
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Those 13 years of torture has permanently scarred this young man....no matter how many years he is free.....he will never ever adjust to society....the one thing you can never regain is time....those child hood years is what shapes and molds you into an adult...it's what creates your character.....and the mere fact that the system really put a 15/16 year old kid in an adult max security prison with his first offense is beyond me.....he didn't kill anyone or even get anything and the fact that he was forced to do it! What happened the person who forced him to do it? Man this is a cold CRUEL world....
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Today June 1, 2019 Saturday, May Father God Almighty, bless this man.
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13 years and then sent to a Max at 15? I seen grown ass men check in at those facilities smh Shit is a zoo. I pray this brother is doing ok. These judges and prosecuters are out their minds 🤦♂️
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Him running away from home cost him 13 years in jail. I feel so sad for what happened to him
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God please bless this young man with peace.
