ENG 1020, RJA #2b

The topic I chose for my research paper is, "Is sentencing juvenile offenders to death or life in prison a truly moral thing to do?" I do have an initial opinion on this issue, but I know there is a ton more information I can acquire to see where I fully stand on the topic. The main reason I chose this topic is because it is related to my major, Criminal Justice and Criminology, and it is something that really interests me. I also decided to pick this because it is very controversial and it is a fairly broad issue, and both of these fit the requirements.


The issue is whether or not life in prison and executing juveniles is uncivilized and immoral (cruel and unusual).

Things I know about the topic:

• There are in fact, over 2,000 juveniles serving LWOP (life without parole) in the United States.
• 41 of the 50 states allow LWOP sentencing.
• The United States Supreme Court has banned the executions of juveniles 15 and younger.
• There are many moms and dads that will only see there child through a clear window for the rest of thier lives.

There are many things that I do not already know about this topic and in which I intend to learn. I hope to find out if there are any programs or advocates that fight for or against this topic. How many states allow the execution of minors? Why is the United States, along with Somalia, the only nation who never signed the Convention of the Rights of the Child, which protects all childs from LWOP. Will the U.S ever sign this Convention? If so, when?