Some people have been blogging about whether it is acceptable to send minors to death. This issue can link to another issue that has just made its way to the Supreme Court. This has to do with sentencing juveniles to life without parole for crimes other than homicide. I consider this to be cruel and unusual punishment because I consider life without parole to be more severe than the death penalty. Sending a minor to prison is detrimental to that child’s health. No matter what community the minor was brought up in they still have no experience with the aspects of prison. Prisoners spend a lot of time in isolation and that would drive a minor mad. These juveniles did not get a change to even begin their adult life; it was just taken away from them for one simple mistake. At a younger age a person has the ability to change unlike some adults. I think that most juveniles have the ability to be successfully rehabilitated.
I also think that there should be a consideration of the actual age of the offender because I do know that someone who is seventeen may understand his actions unlike someone who is only ten. Maybe juveniles need to be split into separate categories and then can be sentenced that way. Right now there are eight states with juvenile offenders serving life without parole for nonhomicide crimes: Florida, Louisiana, California, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, and South Carolina. I consider that to be a lot of states that sentence juveniles to life without parole. Life without parole is basically like a slow agonizing death. If a juvenile did not murder anyone than why should they have to die in prison?
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I agree that life without parole is a harsh punishment, however, the nature of the crime may constitute such action. For this sentence to be elicited, a horrendous crime must be committed. Perhaps the reason this sentence is given is that the individual in question is deemed unable to be rehabilitated and will never be a contributor to society. I agree though, that most non-homicidal crimes should not result in this sentence. There are always exceptions, however. I agree that the actual age of the offender does need consideration. The offender's age is essential to sentencing.
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