THE WAR ON KIDS

An expert on juvenile sentencing and criminal justice reform asserts that the American juvenile justice system, once a world leader, is now in dire need of reform.

“My aim in this book,” writes Drinan (Law Professor/Catholic Univ.), “is to shine a light on the reality of juvenile sentencing practices in America, to humanize the experiences of those juveniles within the system, and to contribute to the momentum for juvenile justice reform.” She explores the dynamics of a system still meting out harsh treatment to child defendants despite recent promising Supreme Court decisions on juvenile sentencing laws. In its Graham v. Florida (2010) and Miller v. Alabama (2012) rulings, the court struck down a majority of the states’ juvenile sentencing laws, outlawing life-without-parole for juveniles who commit nonhomicide offenses and mandating individualized sentencing for those children who commit even the most serious crimes. However, as Drinan amply shows, implementation of these decisions has been unpredictable, slow, and uneven. The author points to the roles played by race, poverty, incarceration of parents, and exposure to violence in the lives of young offenders and examines the legal and policy decisions that determine their fates. Drinan makes clear that she is not arguing that society give young offenders a pass but that “society has an obligation to intervene in these children’s lives long before they commit criminal acts.” Throughout the book, interviews with incarcerated youth add a necessary intimate, human touch. The author explains the relevant Supreme Court cases, reveals the ways in which juveniles cope physically and mentally with imprisonment, and considers prospects for reform. After depicting how states have failed and emphasizing that “no child is born bad,” Drinan outlines the steps that states can take to ensure age-appropriate sentencing.

A clear, concise, well-organized call for action designed to reach a general audience.