PBS Frontline Presents

WHEN TEENS GET LIFE

broadcast on May 8, 2007 9-10:30 MST

(watch the show in its entirety)

Across America, nearly 2300 juveniles are serving life in prison without possibility of parole. At least 45 of them are imprisoned in Colorado. On May 8, 2007, award-winning producer Ofra Bikel will interview 5 of these young men.

What are their stories? Do they deserve a second chance? Should laws be changed -- or are we as a nation content to throw our babies behind bars?

The Pendulum Foundation, which will be featured in WHEN TEENS GET LIFE, will host a reception on May 8 at Denver's Regis University, where we will invite legislators, press and family members of those serving life. We suggest you consider doing the same in your community, either at local universities or via house parties. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about this most important issue.

"I didn't really grasp the permanency of their deaths," -- Jacob Ind

WHEN KIDS GET LIFE
FRONTLINE

The United States is one of the only countries in the world that allows children under 18 to be prosecuted as adults and sentenced to life without parole. In Colorado, between 1992 and 2006, 45 juveniles between 15 and 18 were sentenced to prison without the hope of ever being released. Last spring, the state's legislature eased its tough laws targeting juvenile offenders. The state passed a bill that made parole possible after 40 years in prison, but the measure did not apply retroactively to the 45 former juveniles now in Colorado's prison system. Producer Ofra Bikel visits five young men in Colorado sentenced to life without parole to examine their crimes and punishment, the laws that sanctioned their convictions, and the prospect of never being free again.

Watch When Kids Get Life

OUTREACH CONTACT
Sandy St. Louis, FRONTLINE
617-300-5379
[email protected]

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Park Foundation.

Produced by WGBH

California takes steps to reform juvenile treatment in the Justice System.

Read the article here

Another Current Injustice

Read a father's letter about the plight of his 16 year old son