The U.S., with one of the world’s largest prison populations, has sentenced at least 79 children under 14 to life without parole.
Many of these kids grew up in poverty, racism, and abuse. Some committed violent crimes, others never pulled a trigger. One well-known case is Lionel Tate, sentenced at 12 after a wrestling game turned fatal, sparking outrage over trying children as adults.
While the Supreme Court ended mandatory life terms for juveniles, many—especially in Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—remain behind bars. Advocates argue children deserve rehabilitation, not lifelong punishment. As Bryan Stevenson said, “When we condemn a child to die in prison, we’re saying they’re incapable of change.”
