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Penn Law panel examines the moral and policy questions of juvenile sentencing

October 13, 2015

There are about 2500 juveniles in the U.S. currently servicing life sentences without parole, explained Levick.
“There are about 2500 juveniles in the U.S. currently servicing life sentences without parole,” explained Levick.
At “Don’t Throw Away the Key: Perspectives on Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences,” panelists told stories from their own backgrounds and explained their advocacy for the complete abolishment of juvenile sentencing without parole.

By Jillian Gutstein C’16

On October 7, Penn Law hosted a panel titled “Don’t Throw Away the Key: Perspectives on Juvenile Life Without Parole Sentences,” which was presented by the Youth Advocacy Project and the Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project.

“This panel aims to cover a combination of topics, from the moral implications to what the ideal policy should be as a legal framework for juvenile sentencing,” said Penn Law student Elizabeth Levitan L’17.

The three panelists included Marsha Levick, the Deputy Director and Chief Counsel of the Juvenile Law Center; Jeanne Bishop, an author and public defender; and Cindy Sanford, an author and registered nurse. All spoke about their own backgrounds and their desire to encourage the complete abolishment of juvenile sentencing without parole.

Levick described the history of juvenile sentencing without parole, explaining the 2010 Supreme Court case Miller v. Alabama ruled that juvenile life without parole sentences were unconstitutional given that, scientifically, juveniles have immaturity of judgment, immaturity of decision making, and perceptibility of peer pressure. Since then, six states — including Pennsylvania — have found that the ruling is not retroactive. Juveniles currently in prison with life sentences are still forced to serve their life sentences.   

“There are about 2500 juveniles in the U.S. currently servicing life sentences without parole,” explained Levick.

Bishop spoke from her own personal experiences. The murderer of her pregnant sister and brother-in-law was a juvenile, and he was sentenced to life without parole. Bishop believes the sentence is inhumane.

“He is a human being, not a monster,” she said. “There is a future and a purpose and some redemption. We cannot say to any human being, especially someone this young, that we are throwing you away forever.”

Lastly, Sanford described her background as a registered nurse, a “tough on crime” advocate, and a conservative — one who believes that juveniles should not be locked away for life sentences. After seeing the scientific evidence and brain scans of juveniles, she firmly advocates that juvenile life sentencing is unconstitutional.

“I would like to see life without parole abolished,” said Stanford. “The young men are locked away in these dark places and we need to shine light on them. The way to make change is to tell stories. We need to tell their stories.”

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