The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing cases pertinent to its decision on whether sentencing juveniles to life in prison – without parole – is a “cruel and unusual” violation of the Eighth Amendment. Especially for those who haven’t killed. Chief Justice John Roberts has already weighed in by suggesting a proportionality test that would factor in context – such as age and nature of the crime.
Roberts speaks to reason. One of the test cases involves a teenager, Joe Sullivan, who was 13 when he brutally raped an elderly woman. Prior to that, he had 17 previous arrests. The application of proportionality — and absent castration — should keep Sullivan where he and older predators belong. Away from society’s most vulnerable members.