The Lives of Juvenile Lifers: Findings from a National Survey
Publication year:
2012
| Cataloged on:
Apr. 05, 2012
ANNOTATION: This report presents data from the first survey about juvenile lifers. This is especially important since the United States is the only country in the world that incarcerates a juvenile (for) life without parole (JLWOP)—meaning this child will die in the prison. Anyone working with incarcerated children especially those for life without parole need to read this publication. Key findings are given for: socioeconomic disadvantages, education failure, and abuse; extreme racial disparities in JLWOP sentences; JLWOP sentences frequently imposed mandatorily; and corrections policies curtail efforts at rehabilitation. Sections following key findings include: a betrayal of American juvenile justice system principles; juvenile lifers—a portrait of disadvantage; dynamics of the crime; life in prison; summary of findings; JLWOP—historical and legal perspectives; impact of JLWOP on individuals and public safety; and recommendations for reform. “Although it does not excuse their crimes, most people sent to prison for life as youth were failed by systems that are intended to protect children” (p. 2).
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