She was in his cell

The cases behind this troubling statistic are both varied and alarming. Some minors were charged with murder during robberies, while others were convicted for being involved in crimes without ever wielding a weapon.

Most of these youths come from environments plagued by poverty, neglect, systemic racism, and domestic abuse—factors that heavily influence their paths.

One notable case is that of Lionel Tate, arrested at just 12 years old after a 6-year-old girl died during a pretend wrestling match. Though his sentence was eventually reduced, his story sparked national debate on trying minors as adults.

Juan Méndez, former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, argues that life sentences for children violate fundamental justice and human rights. He emphasizes that children are still developing and should not be denied the chance for rehabilitation.

Despite this, some legal systems argue that certain offenses are so severe that even minors must face the harshest punishments. States like Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania lead in imposing life sentences on juveniles.

In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a stand. In 2012, it ruled mandatory life sentences for minors unconstitutional, and in 2016, extended that ruling retroactively.

Still, many of these old sentences remain unreviewed, leaving numerous individuals behind bars without a second chance.