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In June of 2012, everything changed for young people across the USA both inside of prison and outside of prison. In the historic Miller vs Alabama case, the Supreme Court ruled that sentencing juveniles to life without parole is unconstitutional.
What’s the difference between sentencing a child and an adult? Well, the age for starters. This trial made it clear that a child whose brain isn’t completely developed and immature isn’t the same as someone that’s grown.
The Equal Justice Initiative’s founder, Bryan Stevenson, won the victory. He’d been representing kids on Death Row for decades prior to the decision. He told the Washington Post, “[T]hey [were] vulnerable and disabled and exposed in ways that adult clients weren’t.”
Research has shown Black kids are more likely to be seen as adults by police officers and by others in society. This contributes to the disproportionate arrests and sentencing that gives us the racist results we see in the criminal justice system.
Some of those who were unfairly sentenced beforehand have been able to have their cases reheard and appealed. Since a cell won’t solve all the problems kids face in our society, this decision was a monumental change.