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When we hear the news of a violent crime, there's almost an involuntary reaction in our minds: I hope they get that guy and put him away for life!
But what happens when "that guy" is 12, 13, 14? The question of juvenile justice is one that only sparks more questions. Should minors really be put away for life? Should we all be accountable for our 13 year old selves forever?
Yesterday, the Supreme Court on announced that it will decide whether sentencing juveniles to spend the rest of their lives in prison without hope of ever being released can be considered a cruel and unusual punishment.
According to the AP, a 2008 report from Human Rights Watch said that there are 2,484 youth offenders serving life without parole in the United States, with Florida, California, Louisiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania having the highest number. The United States is the only country in the world that still sentences juveniles to life in prison without possibility of parole, human rights advocates say.
Joe Sullivan, a 33-year-old inmate at the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Florida was only 13 when he was convicted of rape. So he's got 20 years of prison down, and the rest of his life to go.
What do you think? Is this justice or cruel and unusual punishment? Should violent kids be sentenced to life sentences without the possibility of parole?
Comments (5)
When the consequences of a crime last forever, so should the punishment. I am not opposed to the life-sentences given to juvenile murderers. Even at 13 a child is aware that taking a life is permanent. However, some of the crimes that the prosecute as adults, seem ridiculous.
Quoting kemclaughlin. "When the consequences of a crime last forever, so should the punishment"
Amen to that! At 13, we know the difference b/w right and wrong. To rape or murder someone at that age is extremely scary -- imagine what they could or would do if they got out as adults? No thanks. Hold them accountable for their actions!
Absolutely not!!! There is no way, even knowing between right and wrong, that we should be held accountable, for our ENTIRE lifetimes what we did at 13!!!! Hell, some of the things I did I would never do now because I know better. With age comes wisdom. It is a scientific fact that childrens brains are undeveloped at that age. They dont problem solve or think the same way as adults. Why should we punish them FOR LIFE when their physiology shows that they are not mature enough to understand what has happened!! Shame on the US for this crap!!! The juvenile justice system was originally started to HELP juveniles because people understood that they were still growing and could be rehabilitated. Now, all we want to do is throw the book at them cause its easier!!! This is crap...
In one sense yes it is wrong to put a 13 year-old in jail for the rest of their life,but if you lighten the sentence now you will see the crime right for juvies go up because what will they be afraid of.It's obvious a slap on the hand does not scare them.I wouldn't necassirly say throw them in jail but I would say many years and supervised release would be more appropriate.I hear juvies around here crack jokes all the time about,"what are they going to do I'm a juvenile?" More important what about all these parents that find themselves paying their child's fines and some even doing jail time because of something their child has done wrong.There has to be a way to show kids that they need to be responsible for there own actions but I agree life in jail may be a little harsh
I personally believe that the punishment should fit the crime...no matter what the age!! Taking a life is forever...and a teenager that age does know right from wrong, but we now live in a society where many parents today don't bother to dish out consequences for their kids actions, therefore the kids today aren't "afraid" of anything...not even the idea of spending the rest of their lives behind bars...so when "anger" strikes a kid, they don't bother to conside what the consequences could be for their actions!! Kids only "think in the moment"!!! Pulling out a gun and taking a life is nothing to them...!! Not until they have gone thru the court system and spent some time behind bars do they start to realize just what is happening to their lives and they are going to be there for the rest of their days. By then, it's too late for them. Had they been taugh what consequences ment at an early age, our society would not have as much juvenile crime. My husband is Chief Investigator at a prison. He would gladly tell you the same thing...and sooooo much more!! I'm sorry...I just can't turn the other cheek in this matter. When a "child" kills, he becomes a murderer...when a "child" sexually abuses another child, he becomes a "child predator...and FYI...once a predator, ALWAYS a predator, this is one class of offender that CAN NOT be rehabilitated. My husband would be the 1st to tell you this!!! But, nuff said...I think you get my point.