Friday, 24 January 2014
Juvenile Detention
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders, ages 17 and under, are unconstitutional, however the ruling does not automatically free any of the over 2200 prisoners serving life sentences for crimes committed as juveniles nor does it forbid such life terms for youths convicted of homicide. Rather, sentencing judges must first take into account the offender's age, the nature of the crime and other mitigating factors.
On this edition of Inside Out we ask: What goes into deciding a youth deserves a life sentence? What programs are available to youth behind bars? And what are the alternatives to lock up?
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Young Inmate Handed Six Life Sentences For Crime Committed At Age 15 Appeals Sentence
In 2006, 15-year-old Travion Blount was given the longest prison
sentence ever given to a teenager for a crime other than murder. He was
sentenced to an incredible six life sentences plus an additional 118
years (you know, just in case he outlived the first six lifers) in
prison for his role in a 2006 house theft.
In the theft, 15-year-old Blount and two 18 year old accomplices stole cell phones, cash, and marijuana from a local house party. The boys were quickly detained by police and charged with their crimes.
The 18 year olds accepted plea deals that landed them only 10 and 13 years in jail. Blount rejected his plea deal at the time, and as a result the judge handed him an infinitely more harsh sentence.
Blount has been serving time in Wallens Ridge State Prison since 2007. Now, almost seven years later, Blount and his attorney are appealing his sentence. They are arguing that his punishment is far more severe than the crime, especially given that the other two teens who committed the crime with him are serving only a fraction of the time Blount is. The appeal is being sent to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in hopes that he will pardon Blount before leaving office.
“There is no arguing that the crime committed was trivial,” the appeal reads. “What is arguable is the fact that, out of the three individuals who committed the crime, only one person will die in prison.”
The letter adds that the young Blount was “naive and unduly influenced by the boys.”
Virginia governors are allowed to grant conditional pardons to prisoners. As part of Blount’s conditional pardon appeal, he agrees to meet any conditions Gov. McDonnell sees fit. Prior to being incarcerated for theft, Blount was convicted of unauthorized use of a vehicle, robbery, attempted robbery, and malicious wounding.
When asked for a comment on Blount’s appeal, Gov. McDonnell’s office only said the request is “working its way through the normal process."
Sources: Hampton Roads, Daily Mail
In the theft, 15-year-old Blount and two 18 year old accomplices stole cell phones, cash, and marijuana from a local house party. The boys were quickly detained by police and charged with their crimes.
The 18 year olds accepted plea deals that landed them only 10 and 13 years in jail. Blount rejected his plea deal at the time, and as a result the judge handed him an infinitely more harsh sentence.
Blount has been serving time in Wallens Ridge State Prison since 2007. Now, almost seven years later, Blount and his attorney are appealing his sentence. They are arguing that his punishment is far more severe than the crime, especially given that the other two teens who committed the crime with him are serving only a fraction of the time Blount is. The appeal is being sent to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in hopes that he will pardon Blount before leaving office.
“There is no arguing that the crime committed was trivial,” the appeal reads. “What is arguable is the fact that, out of the three individuals who committed the crime, only one person will die in prison.”
The letter adds that the young Blount was “naive and unduly influenced by the boys.”
Virginia governors are allowed to grant conditional pardons to prisoners. As part of Blount’s conditional pardon appeal, he agrees to meet any conditions Gov. McDonnell sees fit. Prior to being incarcerated for theft, Blount was convicted of unauthorized use of a vehicle, robbery, attempted robbery, and malicious wounding.
When asked for a comment on Blount’s appeal, Gov. McDonnell’s office only said the request is “working its way through the normal process."
Sources: Hampton Roads, Daily Mail
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Davonte Sanford It's 2014 let's make calls send emails sign his petition Let's help bring him HOME
We call on people all over who love Truth, Justice and equality To stand with Davonte Sanford It's 2014 let's make calls send emails sign his petition
Let's help bring him HOME
make phone calls to the Governor of Michigan
PHONE: (517) 373-3400
PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
FAX:(517) 335-6863
Executive Office Staff List
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Northern Michigan Office
234 West Baraga Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-2850 Washington D.C. Office
444 N. Capitol Street, Northwest
Hall of the States, Suite 411
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 624-5840
Other Requests
Flag Honors
Flag Request FormGov. Rick Snyder announces the appointment of Jackson County Sheriff Daniel Heyns to the post of corrections director in Lansing.
Daniel Heyns, Director
Michigan Department of Corrections
206 E. Michigan Ave.
Grandview Plaza
PO Box 30003
Lansing, MI 48909
Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor: Use Your Prosecutorial Discretion to Free Innocent Davontae Sanford
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/kym-worthy-wayne-county-prosecutor-use-your-prosecutorial-discretion-to-free-innocent-davontae-sanford
Sunday, 29 December 2013
NYPD program offers last chance justice by monitoring teens
NewsHour Weekend takes a look at an NYPD program called the Juvenile Robbery Intervention Program. Its aim is to mentor and monitor teens who have been arrested for a robbery and keep them out of the system. The report's focus is on two New York City neighborhoods.
Friday, 20 December 2013
A Path For Hope: Ending Juvenile Life Without Parole | TakePart.com | Ta...
The passing of SB9 in California was an important step in ending extreme youth sentencing. A Path for Hope celebrates the coalition victory and the hope for change ahead.
Take Action: http://www.TakePart.com/snitch
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
"Kids for Cash" Official Movie Trailer
We are excited to share with you the newly released movie trailer for "Kids for Cash," featuring Juvenile Law Center's own Bob Schwartz and Marsha Levick. This critically acclaimed film will be premiering in theaters in February 2014.
The film chronicles the infamous Luzerne County, PA "kids-for-cash" case and is a powerful indictment of America's love affair with zero tolerance policies, our destructive school to prison pipeline and misuse of the juvenile justice system. The trailer provides the first public glimpse of the movie, which has been described as a gripping and emotional wake up call. We invite you to watch and share with your friends. To quote producer Robert May, "This is an eye-opening, must-see movie for anyone who has a kid, loves a kid or was a kid!"
Find out more about the Luzerne County "kids-for-cash" scandal at www.jlc.org.
The film chronicles the infamous Luzerne County, PA "kids-for-cash" case and is a powerful indictment of America's love affair with zero tolerance policies, our destructive school to prison pipeline and misuse of the juvenile justice system. The trailer provides the first public glimpse of the movie, which has been described as a gripping and emotional wake up call. We invite you to watch and share with your friends. To quote producer Robert May, "This is an eye-opening, must-see movie for anyone who has a kid, loves a kid or was a kid!"
Find out more about the Luzerne County "kids-for-cash" scandal at www.jlc.org.
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Saturday, 7 December 2013
Lets spread the love on this hoilday and send a christmas card to Cyntoia Brown & Davontae Sanford
You can send a christmas card Cyntoia Brown some xmas joy
#410593
28-L-2 Mark H Luttrell Correctional Center 6000 State Road Memphis, TN 38134…
send a christmas card to
Davontae Sanford-684070 Ionia Maxmium Correctionac. 1576 W. Bluewater
highway Ionia,mi 48846 U ARE GOING TO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY,HE CANT”
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