ACLU fights (Michigan) law sentencing kids to life in prison

Source: Detroit Free Press

Posted: 10:53 a.m. Nov. 17, 2010 | Updated: 11:45 a.m. today
ACLU fights law sentencing kids to life in prison

BY DAVID ASHENFELTER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


The ACLU sued the State of Michigan today on behalf of nine people who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole for crimes they committed as juveniles.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit, says Michigan’s sentencing laws constitute cruel and unusual punishment and violate the constitutional rights of the inmates.

“These life without parole sentences ignore the very real differences between children and adults, abandoning the concepts of redemption and second chances,” Deborah Labelle, lawyer for the ACLU of Michigan’s Juvenile Life Without Parole Initiative, said in a statement accompanying the suit.

“As a society, we believe children do not have the capacity to handle adult responsibilities, so we don’t allow them to use alcohol, join the Army, serve on a jury or vote — yet we sentence them to the harshest punishment we have in this state — to die in adult prisons,” Labelle added.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20101117/NEWS06/101117027/ACLU-fights-law-sentencing-kids-to-life-in-prison

and everyone who defends it is an absolutely inhuman monster beyond the possibility of redemption.

I'm speaking directly to those on DU who think it's okay to do this to, say, a 13 year old kid. And yes, I'm being very specific in subject matter and speaking to particular DUers whose names I will not mention.

If we are divided on this on this site, this site isn't worth the bandwidth it costs me to receive it or the name it bears.

Sorry if that sounds extreme, but sentencing juveniles to life imprisonment- or the death penalty- is where I draw the line. We are better than that.

...........was locked up in Il being declared "delinquent" and at 16 yo could have been held until I was 21. I wasn't and was released in 3 months FOR RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME, no theft, burglary or ANY other crime involved, and this was back in '63.

I think everyone who thinks that when they murder their parents in cold blood they should get out scot free is a fool.

What do you suggest we just let them out to roam and harm someone else?

No prison fine ... put them in a mental hospital for the rest of their lives.

The prison makes more money when more bodies are in the system. They are funded with tax dollars. It's was the biggest industry in CA, although so few even know about it.

Bet the 'baggers would have kanipshit if they knew about this.

Privatized prisons are one of the biggest "welfare queens".

This should be a function of the State, period.

but he was removed, with the help of Darrell Issa and Gov Arnold. Under Arnold's governorship, the private prison business is booming.

It's some pretty sick shit, if you ask me.

BTW, this is a function of the State.

stupid ass laws; bleeding red in the mid-terms; the daleys, rahm & similar, or worse, pricks in elected office.
well, guess one could say the same for parts of my state, New York.

thanks ACLU - for valiantly trying to stem the flood of insanity.

I teach in an alternative high school here in Michigan, so I work with many kids who live violent lives and could possibly end up facing this kind of a sentence.

First of all, I am extremely uncomfortable if this applies to anyone under the age of 16 (physical *and* mental age). I agree with the ACLU if that's what they're fighting. If someone of a physical and mental age of 16 and older commits a heinous crime, however, with malice aforethought, then I can see why judges would want this option. I don't think their records should be expunged when they hit 18 or that they should get a free pass in any way. I teach kids who have committed petty crimes and kids who've been shot by rival gangs, etc., and the reality is, we have 16 year olds living adult lives in every real way.

I'm not okay with life sentences in general, though, so it would have to be really bad before I'd be okay with saying lock them up forever. The reality is, our system does not do a good job of rehabilitation of teens at all, and that's why I really think most teens should have much lower sentences and probation, etc., than we currently put them through.

Just sayin', though: I have a student who, until recently when put on the right medication with the right dosage, I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd murdered someone in a horrific and planned way. We're all thankful for those meds.