NCJ Number
216634
Journal
Youth Law News Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: July-September 2006 Pages: 7-9
Date Published
July 2006
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article examines the national campaign to prevent and end the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole.
Abstract
Those deeply motivated by the life stories of discarded children and their belief in their capacity for rehabilitation are involved in the campaign to stop the sentencing of children to die in prison due to a life without parole sentence (LWOP). The elimination of juvenile life without parole sentences is becoming an increasingly important subject of juvenile justice reform. Children advocates, faith-based groups, human rights advocates, juvenile justice experts, as well as families of juveniles serving LWOP are joining to voice their disapproval with the use of LWOP to punish youth who are still amenable to rehabilitation. In 26 States across the country, the sentence of LWOP is mandatory for anyone, even a juvenile who is found guilty of committing first degree murder. This article briefly examines the use of LWOP sentences for juveniles in the United States and utilizing case studies, describes the representation and treatment of juveniles sentenced to LWOP. 18 footnotes