The debate between Judges and juries awarding the death penalty or life in prison to juvenile offenders has been ongoing for many years. The decision to execute a convicted juvenile felon (age varies depending on state) that has been found guilty of a capital offense, or to incarcerate that person for life continues to be a topic that is discussed and debated in state legislatures and the Supreme Court every year. This article will explore the comparisons of the cost to keep a convicted felon incarcerated for life, or to execute them. Additionally, it will explore the possibility of being able to rehabilitate young offenders given the sentence of life without the possibility of parole (LWOP), or locking them away for the rest of their natural
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Can a juvenile offender be rehabilitated or do we lock them up and throw away the key? The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution directly addresses Cruel and Unusual punishment. The Supreme Court has decided that all non-homicide related crimes by juveniles are not eligible for a LWOP verdict. The argument is, “because juveniles are less culpable and more likely to be rehabilitated than adult offenders, the sentence of LWOP is disproportionate and, hence, unconstitutional” (Greene and Evelo, 2013). In a culture and human interest article, ("Newsweek," 2009), Raphael Johnson talks about his experience as a juvenile offender, and how he was given a second chance after being convicted of manslaughter when he was 17. He is now an elected Detroit City Councilman and has earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree, and also does motivational speaking along with owning a fitness training company. Many people believe the severity of the crime dictates whether we give juveniles LWOP or allow them to be rehabilitated. 38 states allow the death penalty. 13 of those set the minimum age at 18, 4 at the age of 17, and 21 at the age of 16, or have no minimum age at all. Since January 1, 1973, 22 men or women that committed a crime while 17 or younger have been executed in the United States. The opinions vary on whether rehabilitation is effective in juvenile offenders or not. Recidivism among young offenders is at an all …show more content…
It is hard to see beyond the crime once a young person has been put in jail or prison but, it is incumbent on us to find ways to reach them before it is to late. Programs such as Scared Straight, community outreach programs, and Big Brothers of America are ways to get our children off the streets, while assisting each other and helping in the community. The ratio of juvenile arrests for violent crimes went down by over 11%
Can a juvenile offender be rehabilitated or do we lock them up and throw away the key? The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution directly addresses Cruel and Unusual punishment. The Supreme Court has decided that all non-homicide related crimes by juveniles are not eligible for a LWOP verdict. The argument is, “because juveniles are less culpable and more likely to be rehabilitated than adult offenders, the sentence of LWOP is disproportionate and, hence, unconstitutional” (Greene and Evelo, 2013). In a culture and human interest article, ("Newsweek," 2009), Raphael Johnson talks about his experience as a juvenile offender, and how he was given a second chance after being convicted of manslaughter when he was 17. He is now an elected Detroit City Councilman and has earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree, and also does motivational speaking along with owning a fitness training company. Many people believe the severity of the crime dictates whether we give juveniles LWOP or allow them to be rehabilitated. 38 states allow the death penalty. 13 of those set the minimum age at 18, 4 at the age of 17, and 21 at the age of 16, or have no minimum age at all. Since January 1, 1973, 22 men or women that committed a crime while 17 or younger have been executed in the United States. The opinions vary on whether rehabilitation is effective in juvenile offenders or not. Recidivism among young offenders is at an all …show more content…
It is hard to see beyond the crime once a young person has been put in jail or prison but, it is incumbent on us to find ways to reach them before it is to late. Programs such as Scared Straight, community outreach programs, and Big Brothers of America are ways to get our children off the streets, while assisting each other and helping in the community. The ratio of juvenile arrests for violent crimes went down by over 11%