In support of House Bill 307- raise the age is a campaign for the state of Delaware to raise the age for adult prosecution to 21. Scientific research has changed how the world views juvenile delinquency. The American Psychological Association has determined through factual evidence that an adolescents brain does not fully mature until the mid twenties, ages 25/26. These facts should extend the age of juvenile delinquency and the age of juvenile prosecution worldwide. Especially when juveniles are more prone to making poor choices. There are multiple young men and women who committed crimes when they were wrongfully classified as young adults or were actually still adolescents who did not yet fully mature. We call on the state of Delaware to implement a retroactive sentence reform that would give these individuals another chance at life. Majority of these men and women were sentenced to more time than they have lived to experience. Both prison reform and sentencing reform is at the center of discussion across the entire country. Emerging adults are a critically important population that should be at the center of any reform. In Graham vs Florida, the Supreme Court quoted that juveniles are more capable of change than adults, and their actions are less likely to be evidence of “irretrievably depraved character” then are the actions of adults. In the landmark case of Miller vs Alabama, the court wrote that “children are constitutionally different from adults for sentencing purposes”, the court also stated that “The Eighth Amendment prohibits a sentencing scheme that mandates life in prison without the possibility of parole”. Delaware should implement a retroactive law and system where anyone 21 and under should never receive more time than exceeds their age. Since there is proof that one’s brain does not mature until mid twenties, all those under 26 have the greatest capacity for change. Anyone who commits a serious offense worthy of maximum punishment while they are still considered a juvenile should not receive more time than their own age. Meaning; if a 15 year old commits a murder, juvenile life should be 15 years. If a 21 year old commits murder, the maximum penalty should be 21 years. All those classified as juveniles under this law should be eligible for parole after completion of half their time plus accomplish rehabilitative efforts. Massachusetts has lead the way by raising the age of adult prosecution to 21 and they also implemented their own form of prison reform. (See Juvenile Justice pay for Success initiative). California and other states have already raised their age, taking action and securing the injustice in their juvenile Criminal Justice System. We the people of Delaware call on the lawmakers and legislators to bring forth sentencing and prison reform to the first state. The type of reform that doesn’t sentence youth to more time than they have been alive. The type of prison reform that implements settings and structure that is conducive to growth. People who were incarcerated under the age of 26 have the greatest capacity for change. Let’s unite as a state to create environments that influence that change. Please sign this petition to encourage Delaware legislators to retroactively raise the age of adult prosecution to 21. The goal is to exceed 1,000 signatures.