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Jasmin Lee
Mrs. Olson
ERWC
12 March 2017
Life Without Parole
Life without parole is a legal provision that specifies that the remainder of the criminal’s
natural life will be spent in prison. Teens should not be sentenced to life without parole
because sentencing a teen because comparing teens to adults, they both have many
differences. There is more than just the age differences, it is their brain development and the
way they think in certain situations; their physical maturity. Sentencing juveniles to prison
will not only put them at risk of being a victim of other criminals, but they are exposed to
them. Juveniles should not receive life without parole because they ought to be given a
chance of redemption and change themselves.
Adolescents should not be held to the same standards as the adult. It is common sense
that juveniles are different from those of adults in a variety of ways. Adults have more
knowledge and understand more, while on the other hand, juveniles are ignorant and
immature. In the article, What Makes Juvenile Offenders different from Adult offenders, the
author emphasizes, “adolescents feel invincible” and “engage in riskier behaviour than
adults” (Richards). Implying that they do not think of their actions or consequences and just
seems to be following the crowd. There are statistics and data that shows trying juveniles in
adult criminal court may actually result in higher rates of re-offending
(Juvenile Justice). There are reasons as to why there are laws that limit people from doing
certain things, for instances, teens are not allowed to drink, marry, vote, and drive until a
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certain age. Still, they are far from adulthood and are immature and do not think about their
actions.
Juveniles should not have to be sentenced to prison like adults. On the other hand, if it is
because the brain is undeveloped then why is it that millions of kids around the world are not
killing at the same rate. The government seems to think that teens are mature enough that
they allow sixteen-year-olds to drive and work at that age, and that is saying that they are
responsible enough that the law allows them to do so. However, many of the activities that
the law allows them to do are just privileges. Those opportunity that they get can also easily
be taken away. Even so, according to the article, Why Life Without Parole Is Wrong for
Juveniles, “adolescents are still more vulnerable to negative internal and external influences”
(Hertz). This indicates that juveniles can be heavily impacted. Incarcerating juveniles with
