We believe in fair sentencing for youth that reflects our values, moral beliefs and the fundamental difference between youth and adults. Youth are still developing, both physically and emotionally, and their brains, not just their bodies, are not yet fully grown. Therefore, youth have greater potential to grow and change.
When young people commit serious crimes, they should be held accountable, but in a way that reflects their capacity for rehabilitation. Therefore, we believe that youth under the age of 18 should never be sent to prison for the rest of their lives without possibility of meaningful review and parole.
Eliminating life without parole sentences will allow for careful reviews to determine whether, many years later, youth offenders continue to pose a threat to the community. There would be no guarantee of release – only the opportunity to prove remorse and rehabilitation. This alternative to life without parole sentencing appropriately reflects the special needs and rights of youth and focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Sentencing juveniles to life terms without the possibility of parole is inhumane, inappropriate and unnecessary to protect our communities. The sentence sends an unequivocal message to young people that they are beyond redemption. We believe that careful, periodic reviews of juvenile life sentences will ensure that young people are given an opportunity for rehabilitation before they die. We believe that providing the opportunity for rehabilitation for youth reflects our values, moral beliefs, and the fundamental difference between youth and adults.
Adapted from the Statement of Principles of the Washington D.C.-based Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth.