The U.S., known for having one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, is facing growing outrage over a troubling statistic: at least 79 minors under the age of 14 are currently serving life without parole.

Human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and the Equal Justice Initiative brought this to light, sparking fierce debate over juvenile justice. Many of these children were involved in serious crimes—some with weapons, others not—but most come from backgrounds shaped by poverty, trauma, and systemic neglect.

One of the most talked-about cases is Lionel Tate, arrested at age 12 after accidentally killing a younger child during play. Though his sentence was later reduced, his case still fuels national discussions about whether children should ever be tried as adults.

“Life sentences for children violate basic principles of justice,” said former UN expert Juan Méndez. “They haven’t had the chance to grow, mature, or change.”

While some states argue that extreme crimes deserve extreme punishment, others push for change. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against mandatory life for juveniles, but many cases still haven’t been reviewed.

Advocates are calling for compassion, restorative justice, and sentence reviews. As civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson puts it: “Childhood should be about growth—not dying in prison.”

This issue raises a powerful question: how just is a system that gives up on children before they’ve even had a chance to grow?