She was in his cell, waiting to be executed, and he asked as a last
The United States, recognized as one of the nations with the highest incarceration rates globally, confronts a situation that has incited controversy,
international condemnation, and deep contemplation regarding its judicial system: at least 79 minors below the age of 14 are currently serving life sentences without the option of parole. This statistic, disclosed by human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the Equal Justice Initiative,
has ignited discussions surrounding juvenile justice and the ethical boundaries of criminal punishment in the United States.
The incidents that contribute to this figure are as varied as they are unsettling. Some minors faced charges of homicide during robbery attempts, while others were implicated in crimes where they did not even wield a weapon. In the majority of instances, these individuals hail from communities afflicted by poverty, neglect, systemic racism, and domestic violence.
A particularly notable case is that of Lionel Tate, who was apprehended at the age of 12 for the death of a 6-year-old girl during a mock wrestling match. Although his sentence was subsequently reassessed, his situation ignited a discussion regarding the trial and sentencing of minors as adults.