This report, mostly authored by civil rights attorney Deborah LaBelle, examines the practice of sentencing juvenile offenders to life in prison. The United States is the only developed nation in the world which sentences youth to life in prison without the possiblity of perole. The report analyzes fiscal aspects of and the moral implications associated with jailing a child for life, in addition to vast racial disparities seen with the practice. It largely determines that the practice is unethical and not cost effective compared to alternatives.
The report was funded by the American Civil Liberties Union and Second Chance 4 Youth.