WI Supreme Court Takes Up Juvenile LWOP Case

by | October 18, 2010

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The Wisconsin Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear the case of Omer Ninham, a young man (now age 26) who, at age 14, was convicted of homicide in a case in Green Bay.  He was sentenced to life without parole.  Building on the relatively recent ruling by the US Supreme Court that non-homicide youth must have at least some chance for their LWOP sentences to be reviewed, Ninham’s attorneys argue that he also ought to have some chance at being considered for release rather than being sentenced to die in prison.  Wisconsin is one of 18 states that permit a LWOP sentence, and Omer Ninham is the only youth in Wisconsin prison today who was given that sentence at age 14.  The Equal Justice Initiative, located in Alabama, is leading his appeal effort. 

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Explained: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Explained: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

Wisconsin relies far too much on incarceration and blames children for system-wide failures. Instead of incarceration, a better investment for Wisconsin’s youth is in basic needs such as health, housing, and employment.  Wisconsin should reimagine a community-based continuum of care grounded in youth voice, emerging adult research, and cross-system collaboration. 

Testimony: End Juvenile Life Without Parole in Wisconsin

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Kids Forward supports SB801/AB845, which would eliminate juvenile life without parole. This critical advancement towards a more developmentally appropriate juvenile justice system will reduce and repair harm, decrease racial disparities, increase child and family wellbeing, and increase opportunities for community-based alternatives to incarceration. 

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