"I grew up with two crack-addicted parents. At home there was only Doritos and spoiled milk or government cheese in the refrigerator."
For more than a decade I have interviewed more than 1,000 kids in 35 states. What of these kids who were sentenced to long sentences and JLWOP, life sentences without parole? These kids become adults who become geriatric. These are the people I have interviewed for the past year.
These are their stories. There are more than 2,000 people — juveniles serving life without parole all over the country. These are some of their voices. These are their faces.
This is a series by Richard Ross that will run every other Thursday.
I feel very hopeful the laws are changing. How can one assume that these people aren’t able to change? Are they themselves the same people today as they were when they were 15, 16, 17 years old??? I know I’m not the same person as I was then. Not to minimize his crime or other crimes, but why isn’t it taken into account the way these inmates grew up? With severe neglect and abuse, where were their advocates? Who was there to speak up for them? Yes, I think they should be held accountable, but for the rest of heir lives? It’s just ridiculous. I pray the laws continue to change. Thank you.