I support this petition and charge this is just the beginning of prison reform. I support Senator Webb VA [D] S. 714 (2009). I support H.R. 2289 (2009); and upcoming H.R. 757 (FL 2010).
I support this Petition. I also have a son that comitted a crime at age 16 and was serving house arrest and violated with a technical violation and they sentenced him to forty years maximim security .
I support this petition. It is a grave society that we livve in when our justice system locks away a child that could grow to be productive member of society...
The United States of America is the ONLY country in the world who still allows our children to be sentenced to LWOP. We need to abandon this policy. How can any other country look to us with the respect and leadership when we practice this inhumanity? Our country is supposed to set precedence for ethical and humane treatment to all people- but especially our children. I will speak of one case more specifically: The case of Shawnda James from Tennessee who at age 13 was sent to live with her aunt and uncle who both abused her. In order to protect both herself and their 18 month old son, she killed her aunt. Please understand Shawnda had gone to the sheriffs department only to be returned to her abusive uncles home. At that time, she had a broken nose. This happened in the founding county of the KKK- Shawnda is Hispanic. She is about to begin her 14th year of incarceration. Shawnda completed her GED and is a great mentor for the women at the prison she resides. Enough cannot be said about this brilliant young woman. Drug free, violence free- she has never disputed she should pay for what she has done, but she should be given the opportunity to become a reputable, contributing citizen in this country. She has so much to offer. .. so many of our children/adults incarcerated as children have so much to offer.
Please President Obama, make this an important part of your tenure as President of the United States Of America. This is an important ehtical issue for our country- and should be at the top of our humanitarian agenda- for our country. It is time for our country to honor our children this way. We owe it to them.
Thank you so much.
Kimily
I have a brother in law thats in prison. He was 15 yrs of age when he commited murder. He needs a 2nd chance. When your that young your not in the right state of mind. Hes 30 yrs old today. We all need to come together so we can make this happen!
I am in complete support of this petition.The idea of imprisoning a child for his/her entire life is a deeply flawed one. It is based on fear, despair and anger/hatred. This is not how we should govern. Without hope, courage and compassion we shall fail as a nation.
I support this petition. I can`t be that kids and childrend are imprisoned for such a long time, because they are young they had such good chances to change and to rue it. and some of are sentenced altough they are not really guilty because of legal inconsistencies and often inconclusivness.
in germany such a disgrace weren`t possible! stop to encage your OWN children and young kids their whole life!
