The Juvenile Sentencing Debate

The United States is one of a few nations that allows those under eighteen to be sentenced to life. A documentary airing tonight by PBS’s Frontline re-examines the question: are life sentences appropriate for juvenile offenders? A panel of New Hampshire experts joins us to explore how tough is tough enough when it comes to youth sentencing.

Guests

• Dr. Eric Vance, medical director for children's services at the Seacoast Mental Health Centers at Portsmouth and Exeter. Dr. Vance also consults to the State Division of Juvenile Justice Services on mental health issues
• Ted Kirkpatrick, clinical professor of sociology and associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts at UNH. Dr. Kirkpatrick is also co-director of JusticeWorks, a criminal research and development unit, and serves on the governor's state advisory group on juvenile justice.
• Kevin Smith, senior policy manager at the Division for Juvenile Justice Services