How young is too young for a life sentence?

We’ve addressed the issue of punishment and imprisonment numerous times, for example here.  The focus, however, has tended to be on punishment and the old or terminally ill.   The Washington Post has an article today on the Supreme Court’s decision to consider the constitutionality of sending youth to prison for life.  Huge moral questions here about the age at which humans become morally responsible (we’ve addressed this in the past too).  The Supreme Court has already ruled that kids cannot get the death penalty.  Is a life sentence much different?   What do you think?  Assuming life sentences are justified, how old is old enough to be sentenced to life in prison?

-Marc

Related posts:

  1. Life-without-parole for juveniles
  2. Is it right to put an accomplice to death?
  3. Coates on capital punishment
  4. Releasing the terminally ill from prison
  5. How young is too young to sail around the world?

October 30, 2009 · Filed Under Marc, Punishment

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  • Editors

    Jacob Bronsther is a law student at NYU. He has an MPhil in Political Theory from Oxford.

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