Juvenile Justice Reform UPDATE

On Jan. 25, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Montgomery v. Louisiana that any child sentenced to life without parole is retroactively eligible for review.  For more, see the article from The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth.

Many of us at Trinity became more aware of the human impact of such sentences when Xavier McElrath-Bey spoke at Trinity Church on Jan. 13 as part of the Clampitt Lecture Series for 2016.  You can watch a video of Xavier’s moving personal story on the Trinity Wilmette YouTube Channel.

Xavier was 13 years-old when he was convicted for his part in a murder.  He was sentenced to 25 years.  His 14-year-old co-defendant was sentenced to life without parole.  When he was released in 2002, Xavier had lived half of his life in prison.  Now he has dedicated his life to juvenile justice reform. 

As I listened to Xavier talk about growing up in an abusive home in a poor neighborhood where gangs were the only source of compassion in his life, I understood so many people failed him, gave up on him, abandoned him to his own devices.  But with sustained positive role models and constructive activities, he, like any child, has the potential to become a responsible adult who inspires others. 

When Xavier spoke of being tried as an adult at age 13, even though teenagers lack the cognitive development of adults, I felt the unfairness of imposing adult punishments on children and locking up children in adult facilities. 

Xavier was excited to be speaking with United Methodists in Wilmette because he remembered that the people of the United Methodist Church provided hospitality and support to his colleagues and him during oral arguments in Montgomery v. Louisiana.  Through our apportionment giving which supports the General Board of Church and Society, we supported Xavier. 

Xavier told me that people in the legislative and judicial system need to hear from Christians who believe in a God of forgiveness, a God of second chances.  There are times when we Christians must not be afraid to stand up and speak out for fundamental principles, such as justice and mercy. 

The United Methodist Church has a long tradition of supporting social justice.  Here is an excerpt from the official United Methodist position on Criminal Justice and Restorative Justice:

“Most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive.  These retributive justice systems profess to hold the offender accountable to the state and use punishment as the equalizing tool for accountability. In contrast, restorative justice seeks to hold the offender accountable to the victimized person, and to the disrupted community.  Through God’s transforming power, restorative justice seeks to repair the damage, right the wrong, and bring healing to all involved, including the victim, the offender, the families, and the community.  The Church is transformed when it responds to the claims of discipleship by becoming an agent of healing and systemic change” (from The United Methodist Book of Discipline 2012 ¶164H; read the whole statement here).

The prophet Micah reminds us that the Lord requires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).  How might you use your voice and influence to support reforms in our justice system that promote healing and transformation?