Juvenile Life Sentencing Without Parole: Never the Answer.

When does one decide that regardless of age, a child deserves to die in prison? Two cases outline different situations that cost two juveniles to serve time without parole.

Cole Cannon, a 52-year-old man, was drinking and doing drugs with two boys, 14-year-old Evan Miller and his 16-year-old friend, prior to attacking the two boys for trying to steal from him.  Miller beat Cannon with a bat, and then, with the help of his friend, they set Cannon’s house on fire.

Miller has always had a troubling lifestyle. He has been in and out of foster homes, his stepfather is physically abusive, and his mother is an alcoholic and drug-addicted mess. Not to mention that starting at the age of 6, Miller has tried to kill himself 4 times.

On the other hand, 14-year-old Kuntrell Jackson and his two friends attempted to rob a video store when the store clerk was killed. Although Jackson didn’t shoot the clerk, he already had a bad record including multiple counts of car theft and shoplifting, so he was sentenced to life without parole.

“In 2010, the court ruled that sentencing juveniles to life without parole for non-homicide crimes violated the Eighth Amendment.” This should be upheld in court. Although a juvenile receives life with parole, that does not necessarily mean that he or she will ever be released. Parole boards decide if and when someone leaves prison.

For the most part, children are less mature, irrational, and process things without weighing the consequences. Also, those that have had a rough upbringing may be unaware of the positives in life. Children should have the chance to redeem their character.

However, psychological treatment needs to be implemented in order to determine if the child will no longer be a threat to society. Although it would be nice to think that everyone should be given a chance, that is not always true. There are certain psychological illnesses that may not be reversible; in which case, the child should be institutionalized, not imprisoned.

Furthermore, Texas jail systems are broke. The more rehabilitated prisoners that can be released and put to work as well as pay taxes, the better our society will be. 

Source: "Juvenile Life Sentence Ruling is Wise." Austin American-Statesman. Austin American-Statesman. 25 June 2012. Web. 27 July 2012.