Imagine being a 17-year-old who was forced into a life of trauma and abuse since the age of 11 and then, after defending yourself from your abuse, being sentenced to life in prison with no chance of being free again. This is the compelling story of Sara Kruzan, a victim of child sex trafficking who was sentenced to life without parole for defending herself. Sadly, Sara's story is not unique. As of 2022, over 2,100 juveniles are serving life without parole sentences in the U.S., a sentence that most other countries have abolished. The U.S. is the only country—besides Somalia—still imposing LWOP on children, a violation of international human rights (Burton, 2022). These are young people, not hardened criminals; they are children who deserve a chance to grow, learn, and rehabilitate. Psychologically, juveniles have developing brains, and most are susceptible to impulsive behavior. Studies show that adolescents are less culpable than adults and have a heightened capacity for change. Being incarcerated for life will only deteriorate the psychological and mental development. No family connections, social support, sense of life, or fear of victimization can emerge behind bars (Cunha O., et 2023). Our justice system, a pillar of American society, is supposed to hinge on rehabilitation principles and an opportunity for reformat. However, we see young lives routinely discarded with lifetime sentences, a fate often ill-deserved, especially for those later found innocent. This is a profoundly personal cause, as I have encountered multiple such cases in recent years. The practice of sentencing minors to life without parole indicates not only a botched justice system but also a disregard for the malleability and reformative potential of youth.
We cannot ignore the inherent vulnerabilities and susceptibilities of youth, as recognized by the Supreme Court, affirming that children are "constitutionally different" from adults. The National Research Council also suggests that juvenile offenders are more likely to grow out of crime and move towards positive adult identities if given the chance. It is time to move forward and seek a more restorative justice system that provides rehabilitative opportunities. Restorative justice is built on the reintegration of shaming and procedural justice. Shaming specifies that people are deterred from committing a criminal act for two reasons: 1) conscience and 2) fear of social disapproval (Brathwaite, 1989). In these programs, the community shames juveniles' actions before being accepted. This helps counter the stigma people face when entering society once again. These individuals welcomed back into society tend to engage in more prosocial behaviors and reduce the likelihood of reoffending  (Brathwaite, 1989). This petition proposes to end life without parole sentencing for juveniles, allowing them to rectify their errors and contribute positively to society. Sign this petition to endorse this much-needed reform in our penal system, stand up for justice, and give these juveniles a chance at redemption. It would be essential to ensure this message is sent to the Colorado Juvenile Justice Commission as a starting point, and later, moving towards a more national scale would be necessary. However, starting small is essential, and containing Governor Jared Polis would also be a good idea. Having him look over it would aid the cause a lot more. It is possible that having a connection with the governor will lead to a connection with a more extensive social structure like the Department of Justice, which overlooks our criminal justice system. 

cdps_dcj_pio@state.co.us

Office of the Governor
200 E. Colfax
Denver, CO 80203-1716
United States

Email the Governor: Governorpolis@state.co.us