A dying
inmate in Iowa who had been sentenced to life without parole is now the first
person in the state to have such a sentence altered. The inmate, Kristina
Fetters, is suffering from late stage cancer and has been transferred to a
hospice where she will regularly meet with a parole officer. She had been
convicted of murder when she was only fifteen years old. This decision follows
quickly after a Supreme Court decision last year that deemed life sentences
without parole were illegal for minors. While this is a large step forward for
the American judicial system, it’s sad that the case had to take place at all.
Before this ruling, the United States was the only country that sentenced
youths to die in prison. It was legal in over half of states and over 2,500
inmates are currently serving for life without parole that were sentenced as
minors. The fact that this was allowed for so long shows a complete lack of
responsibility from our nation’s leaders. Someone who is in their mid-teens
does not possess the mental development to fully understand impulse control and
consequences. This isn’t to say that they should be exempt from severe
punishment. But to be destined to a life and death in jail while still just a
kid is disgusting.
I do think that teenagers are not developed enough to understand the consequences for impulse and that life sentences are cruel. However, i do believe that murder is murder and punishment is needed at any age. The Supreme Court decision is a good one. Minors should have the ability to start over if convicted at a young age. Let's hope with this new decision the minors convicted will have a new chance at a better life.
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