"When I Die, They'll Send Me Home"

Youth Sentenced to Life without Parole in California

Summary

Methodology

Recommendations

To the Governor of California

To the California State Legislature

To State and County Officials

To State Judges

To California District Attorneys

To Defense Attorneys

Teenagers Sentenced to Die in California Prisons

Why Youth are Serving Life without Parole in California

Crimes that Result in a Life without Parole Sentence

Unjust Results

Many Youth Sentenced to Life without Parole did not Actually Kill

The Worst Racial Disparity in the Nation

County Sentencing Practices Differ

Influence of Peers

Adult Codefendants

Legal Representation that Compromises Justice

The Late Teens and Early Twenties: A Dramatic Period for Personal Growth

Teens' Unique Potential for Change

Personal Experience of Change

Life Inside Prison

Fear and Violence

Barriers to Rehabilitative Opportunities

The Financial Cost of Sentencing Youth to Life without Parole in California

The Perspectives of Victims

What those Serving Life without Parole Want to Say to the Families of their Victims

Acknowledgements

Appendices