I have a PDF from the Human Rights Watch concerning a proposal to start a national campaign against juvenile life sentences. I don't have it hosted, but I will share via email if anyone would like to read it. Additional information is on their site- I apparently can't post links here, it won't let me. So, go to Human Rights Watch's site. Click on recent publications, then on the right side, where it says by theme, click children's rights, the 6th article down.

We're looking to start a campaign in Pennsylvania similar to Michigan's "Second Chance" Legislation campaign for juvenile sentencing reform. Anyone/groups in PA who are interested in helping, please contact me. Thanks!

Did you also ask in the PA forum? or maybe in the juvenile forum?

http://www.hrw.org/children/justice.htm

is this what your talking about, sorry, the link i posted above?

I have a PDF from the Human Rights Watch concerning a proposal to start a national campaign against juvenile life sentences. I don't have it hosted, but I will share via email if anyone would like to read it. Additional information is on their site- I apparently can't post links here, it won't let me. So, go to Human Rights Watch's site. Click on recent publications, then on the right side, where it says by theme, click children's rights, the 6th article down.

We're looking to start a campaign in Pennsylvania similar to Michigan's "Second Chance" Legislation campaign for juvenile sentencing reform. Anyone/groups in PA who are interested in helping, please contact me. Thanks!
Im familiar with human rights watch my guys name is mentioned in one of the child offender cases and is a lifer...i will go there and lets see what we can do. I don't think it's right to take a young person and lock them up forever people change ya know?

I agree that juveniles should not be sentenced to life, I am an x inmate, I did my time and while there I saw three young woman 14 15 and 15 brought in for murder, I have kids their age.One wanted to know what size shoes to buy for the shower, she did'nt know what to do because her feet were still growing, that hits home fast, that she is a "CHILD" not the convict the legal system has branded them. All three were young and stupid but did not deserve life sentences, they needed mental help instead.

I agree that juveniles should not be sentenced to life, I am an x inmate, I did my time and while there I saw three young woman 14 15 and 15 brought in for murder, I have kids their age.One wanted to know what size shoes to buy for the shower, she did'nt know what to do because her feet were still growing, that hits home fast, that she is a "CHILD" not the convict the legal system has branded them. All three were young and stupid but did not deserve life sentences, they needed mental help instead.

What a sad story,


welcome to pto, I am glad you found us.


Ann

what ever happend to juvenile life till your 25 they dont really do that anymore huh??? they are also saying they are shutting down alot of the CYA here in cali sapposely cause the youth offender rate is low but its because they are giving kids adult sentences!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW you are right i never thought of that!!!! And they complain of over crowding.. WELL hello stop sending all these kids to prison.. Cuz thats what they are.. Kids not thinking about what they are doing!!!!

Hi, I just went in August to see my lifer,who was sentenced to life at age 14. He has served 13 years of his sentence. I just wish something would happen for them to be able to be given a second chance and to prove that they can be rehabilitated. It is very possible.

Hi, I just went in August to see my lifer,who was sentenced to life at age 14. He has served 13 years of his sentence. I just wish something would happen for them to be able to be given a second chance and to prove that they can be rehabilitated. It is very possible.


Yes, that is very true. My love got sentenced to life at age 15 and he did not even kill anyone. He has served more than 12 years now and I wish he´d get a second chance one day. Cause parole eligibility after 40 years is not really a chance...
Yes, people can change and especially at a young age a change is more than just to be expected. We all should remember how much we changed between the ages of 13 and 21. Juveniles are also not able to make decisions like an adult can. That is why juveniles under the age of 18 cannot be sentenced to more than 10 years here in Germany. How I wish it was the same in the U.S./Texas...

I'm not able to post links here at the moment,as I'm a total newbie, but I'll pop back as soon as I can to post a link about an article you can find online, written last year in a British newspaper (the Guardian) about juvenile Lifers in Michigan.

It is still findable on Google if you're interested, just search for the title " Life without hope" . If that doesn't turn it up, try "Guardian+UK+Life without hope" .... it's a riveting article looking at Lifers from those just starting, to those who have been inside for 50+ years.

If anyone with 25+ posts wants to link it into this thread, please feel free.