Newspapers Across California Support an End to JLWOP

 Los Angeles Times Editorial in support of new CA legislation to stop JLWOP 9-1-10 “Not all youthful offenders should be released. Some will mature during their incarceration, repent their crimes and gain a moral compass. Others will not. But it is cruel to reject all hope and unjust to deny all discretion.”

San Diego Union Tribune Editorial in Support of SB399 8-19-10    “American justice has long included rehabilitation as one of its foundations. Admittedly, the concept of rehabilitation for most convicts in California today is a joke. But if anyone is capable of rehabilitation and redemption, it is children.”

Ventura County Star Editorial in Support of SB399 8-18-10  “We support legislation that allows for the review of cases involving juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 10 years, potentially allowing some of them to receive a new sentence of 25 years to life. It is both a rational and humane approach to juvenile sentencing.”

Los Angeles Times Editorial in Support of SB399 8-19-10  “Not all youthful offenders should be released. Some will mature during their incarceration, repent their crimes and gain a moral compass. Others will not. But it is cruel to reject all hope and unjust to deny all discretion.”

San Francisco Chronicle Article about Support for SB399 8-17-10  “Sen. Sam Aanestad, R-Penn Valley (Nevada County) – the only Republican to support the bill in the Senate – said all of the arguments overlook one simple question: “Do we believe in rehabilitation or don’t we?” he asked. “I think the younger you are, the more of a chance you have to reprogram. … For me, it’s just a matter of fairness. If all we want to do is punish people, OK, let’s put them away for good. But I don’t believe that’s what society really wants.”

Op Ed–Law Enforcement Perspective: “Youthful Offenders Deserve a Second Chance” Los Angeles Times 6-2-10  “Collectively, we have put or kept a lot of people in prison. Prison is where some people justly belong, many for long periods of time. But it is exactly our experience in law enforcement that causes us to agree with the Supreme Court’s recent decision to abolish the sentence of life without parole for teens in nonhomicide cases.”

Sacramento Bee Editorial: “Why ‘throw away key’ for juveniles?” 5-20-10  “Even tough-on-crime Texas has abolished life without parole for juveniles who commit crimes, including murder. But not California…A diverse array of groups supports SB 399, from prison guards to churches. As a first step, pass this bill. And keep the discussion going about simply eliminating life without parole for juveniles.”

Letter to the Editor, Bishop Gabino Zavala, auxiliary bishop, San Gabriel Region, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, June 2, 2010 “I, too, must analyze this issue with a balanced approach. Catholic morality makes it clear that society has a duty to protect the innocent and punish offenders. But the church also holds that rehabilitation is a complementary goal to punishment. God expects us to be men and women of hope.”