Jun 9th, 2009
Posted by Nahal Zamani, Human Rights Program at 11:55am	Human Rights

Let's End Juvenile Life Sentences Without Parole Now!

Today at 3:00 pm, the U.S. House of Representative's Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security will convene a hearing on H.R. 2289, the "Juvenile Justice Accountability and Improvement Act of 2009.” This legislation would deny funding to states that refuse to offer a parole option to juvenile offenders and authorize state grants to improve legal representation for youths charged with life sentences.

It's hard to believe that the United States still sentences children as young as 13 to spend the rest of their lives in prison without any opportunity for release. Right now, there are approximately 2,570 children serving juvenile life sentences without parole in the U.S. — the only country that allows this cruel punishment to happen.

Just last week, the ACLU, along with other human rights organizations, sent a letter to the CERD Committee, urging them to conclude that the imposition of this sentence violates the treaty obligations of the United States and fails to recognize customary international human rights law.

Young people are still developing mentally and emotionally. Their punishment needs to be focused on rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Offering a parole option to young people provides a second chance — this is in our society's best interest.

We've made some progress — currently Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon and the District of Columbia forbid juvenile life sentences without parole. But we have a long way to go, and we have no time to waste.

It's time for a change. Our youth deserve fair sentencing, and the opportunity for rehabilitation.

You can watch the hearing online and learn more about the ACLU's work on ending juvenile life without parole at: www.aclu.org/juvenilelifewithoutparole.

Permalink |	Human Rights

Tags: children's rights, Human Rights Program, jlwop, juvenile justice

1. Katrina Says:
   Jun 9th, 2009 at 11:03am

   It is sick, especially when you consider how very few rights teens have. Everyone is always talking about how they can't handle responsibility and that they shouldn't be voting or driving or outside past a certain hour or whatever other unjust stereotype-based regulation, yet for some reason, if one were commit a heinous crime, then everyone suddenly thinks they're fully developed and accountable and should get the harshest punishment. Can't have it both ways, folks. Don't treat them like kids and punish them like adults. As Dr. Mike Males said in on this subject in one of his books, we treat teens as kids when doing so is convenient for adults, and we treat them like adults when doing so is convenient for adults. Adult convenience and privilege should not be the basis for our justice system.

2. jim Says:
   Jun 10th, 2009 at 9:44am

   You can have it both ways.
   Some kids are mature enough to drive. BUt to try to find those kids who are is to expense so we make a blanket rule as to who can drive.

   However in punishing young criminals it is possible to determine if a kid should be treated as an adult.

   "Their punishment needs to be focused on rehabilitation and reintegration into society.."
   Therefore, because someone commits murder at 14 years of age, he should get a free pass and put back in society. If a kid commits cold blooded murder, he should be sentenced for life. It is not in societies best interest to have murders set free.

   Also, it is irrelevant what other countries do. Just because other countries let there kids get away with murder does not mean we should.

3. Michael Says:
   Jun 10th, 2009 at 11:33am

   > But to try to find those kids who are is > to expense so we make a blanket rule as > to who can drive.

   How is it too expensive? Kids who are interested would come come forward, take a test and pay for it, like everybody else.

   > It is not in societies best interest
   > to have murders set free.

   That's always been the problem. People like you are incapable of thinking in anything other than black and white terms. People are either good or evil, criminals or honest.

4. Paen Says:
   Jun 10th, 2009 at 1:05pm

   I think that many of the law and order types would love to have a justice system like that of Iran's.

5. Michael Says:
   Jun 11th, 2009 at 7:22am

   "How is it too expensive? Kids who are interested would come come forward, take a test and pay for it, like everybody else."

   The problem is that you will have a large munber of kids 10-15 trying to drive. That will swamp most/all DMV. Hence it will become to expense and to much of a burden.

   "That’s always been the problem. People like you are incapable of thinking in anything other than black and white terms. People are either good or evil, criminals or honest."
   For the most part, murders are evil and criminals whether they are 15 or 55. By removing life without parole for juveniles you will put murders back on the streets. If a murder was commited and the circumstances merit life without parole, than it should be life, regardless of age.

6. genem Says:
   Jun 11th, 2009 at 6:00pm

   Every citizen should spend at least a weekend in the slammer. Experience something horrible, demeaning, and absolute. No whining about your innocence.
   A good proportion of those in prison or jails in the U.S. are there for prosecutorial zeal, or simple drug possession.
   I copped a pleas to a crime I didn't committ; 23 years later some jerk- off dugout the papers to harrass and re-convict on the original phony charge.
   I made the choice and I live with it.
   Just don't lock up juveniles for life and others who may be innocent to satisfy collective blood lust, revenge, and guilt because society hasn't done such a great job of it.
   Give a person a sentence. when it's up, it's up. don't continue to punish cause it makes you feel superior. You just haven't been caught yet, or you have been lucky.

7. genem Says:
   Jun 11th, 2009 at 6:07pm

   To add to the last comment, when I say to re-convict, I simply mean to drag it out so that it creates fear and anger in the population. There is a punishment several times worse than being locked up for a few months. Being shut away from family, friends and loved ones may mean that they no longer wish any part of life with a "criminal."
   It is especially galling when you are innocent. To protest innocence means in our society that you did it.

8. Tauheedah Says:
   Aug 5th, 2009 at 11:06pm

   One issue is that people feel that all juvenile lifers will be released if this Bill 2289 is passed;that isn't the case. Society must find a common ground. Restorative Justice is not a "get out of jail free pass". It allows those men and women who committed crimes under the age of 18 an opportunity to be productive citizens in society, once they have earned that right. The juvenile lifer has to speak at the parole hearing. I would like to believe that the board is intelligent enough to pick out the good from the rotten. Additionally, society needs more preventive measures; put back the youth programs which kept children out of trouble. Enforce stricker gun laws and put our tax dollars into education instead of investing in human warehousing.

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