Should a 16 Year Old Serve a Life Sentence?

I felt I had to write this article after seeing a documentary on BBC 3 about a 16 year prostitute murdered one of her clients by shots him. The teenager reason’s for doing this is she thought he was going to attack her.

Coming from an unstable background, she was put up for adoption because her drug addict mother was found to be an unfit parent. The young girl fell in with the wrong crowd and lost her virginity aged 12.

Throughout the years she slept with a number of different people either because she thought thats what she was suppose to do or because she was forced. It was clear that this girl needed help long ago, instead she will now spend her whole life behind bars. It just seems like such a waste.

While I agree everyone should take responsibility for their actions I don’t think anyone under the age of 18 should serve a life sentence in an adult prison. By letting that happen they will never get they help they need and a chance to become a better person.

I think it most cases they would be better off in therapy and be given continued support. What do you think?