Posts Tagged ‘Juvenile’
Juvenile Life Sentences in Florida Under Question
On Monday, November 9th, the Supreme Court will hear two appeals from juvenile offenders who were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for crimes other than homicide. The offenders are claiming that the eighth amendment – no cruel and unusual punishment – should prevent juvenile offenders from dying in prison for a crime that was not a homicide. But many lawmakers in Florida disagree. According to this New York Times article:
There are just over 100 people in the world serving sentences of life without the possibility of parole for crimes they committed as juveniles in which no one was killed. All are in the United States. And 77 of them are here in Florida.
Read more about juvenile life without parole and these Supreme Court cases here.
Posted by hcdmedia
Life Sentences for Youths
20 years after Joe Harris Sullivan was convicted of rape as 13-year-old boy, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole, the Supreme Court is reexamining his sentence to determine if the term is not cruel and unusual punishment. The only two 13-year-old children in America to be sentenced to life in prison without parole were sentenced in Florida courts, which in 2005 ruled that juveniles cannot be executed for committing murder. Neither youth was on trial for murder. In the 2005 case, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy had said:
“The reality that juveniles still struggle to define their identity means it is less supportable to conclude that even a heinous crime committed by a juvenile is evidence of irretrievably depraved character. . . . It would be misguided to equate the failings of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minor’s character deficiencies will be reformed.”
Sullivan’s lawyer is attempting to use the 2005 ruling to highlight why the Sullivan’s term is unjust stating, “They are both effectively death sentences. One is death by execution, and the other is death by incarceration, but they are both terminal sentences.”
Posted by hcdmedia
Children’s Prison Art Project
The Children’s Prison Art Project is an innovative organization whose mission is to
introduce juvenile offenders in correctional facilities and shelters to an innovative educational theater and visual arts forum where they can express their thoughts and visions in constructive ways.
They currently have an art exhibition at the Greater Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Visit their website to see some of the art and to learn more about this organization.
Posted by hcdmedia
Kids Behind Bars
Check out this documentary about young kids who have had to adapt to living in prison with other cell-mates who have committed more serious crimes. Juvenile incarceration is a serious issue and quite often contentious. Write in your thoughts on this topic.
Posted by hcdmedia