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Did you know that the United States is the only country in the world that sentences youth to life in prison with no opportunity for parole? In the last year, the movement to eliminate life without parole (LWOP) sentences for youth has grown, both internationally and here in the U.S., but your help is needed to move California in the same positive direction.

Help pass the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act. A critical vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee is right around the corner and uncommitted legislators must hear from you now! Take Action before TOMORROW's May 28th hearing.

The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act (SB 399), sponsored by Senators Leland Yee, Darrell Steinberg and Gloria Romero, would provide review and the opportunity for resentencing of all youth offenders who were under the age of 18 at the time of their crime and sentenced to life without parole in California.  The legislation recognizes that young people, even those serving life sentences, have the capacity for rehabilitation and reform, and should have access to the tools to do so.

Recent neuroscience studies confirm that young people who commit crimes are more likely to reform their behavior and have a better chance at rehabilitation than adults. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed, explaining in a 2005 case that “it would be misguided to equate the failings of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minor’s character deficiencies will be reformed.”

Evidence shows that life sentences for youth do not reduce crime and that these sentences are often applied unfairly. California has the worst record in the nation for racial disparity in the imposition of life without parole for juveniles. African American youth are sentenced to life without parole at over 18 times the rate of white youth. Latino youth are sentenced to life without parole five times the rate of white youth.

Recognizing that teenagers have the potential to mature and reform if provided access to programs and rehabilitative services while in prison, SB 399 creates specific criteria and a three-part review process that would result in the possibility of a lesser sentence for those offenders who have matured and proven themselves to have changed.

California’s laws should be made more just and the public agrees. Juveniles who commit crimes should be sentenced appropriately, but Californians – and 81% of West Coast residents – believe that youth are redeemable and should not spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Raise your voice for this much-needed reform. Take Action today and contact the Senate Appropriations Committee and urge them to pass the Fair Sentencing for Youth Act.

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