Did you know that the United States has over 2,500 youth offenders serving life in prison without the possibility of parole? Sadly, a staggering percentage of these youths (over 1/4) are serving this sentence for felony murder, meaning that the child was not the actual "trigger puller." (think the get away driver in a bank robbery gone awry scenario where the child is the driver)
Now, take a guess how many youthful offenders are serving life in prison without the possibility of parole in the rest of the entire world. That's right - Zero. Zero. Think about that.
That statistic alone is shocking. But consider that it has only been within the last several years that it has been held cruel and unusual to execute children for criminal acts (2005 to be exact). And it was only last year that the US Supreme Court held that children cannot be given life in prison without the possibility of parole in non-homicide cases.
Americans boast at being forward thinking and progressive. And we are in many respects. But it is shameful when we are the only nation in the entire world to sentence children to life in prison without no possibility of parole.
This should enrage you. Check out the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Pay attention. Take a stand. Get involved.
No comments:
Post a Comment