My mother lived in Holland and during World War II was incarcerated in a Japanese camp for three years.

Think about how much it costs to incarcerate someone. Do we want them just sitting in prison lifting weights becoming violent and thinking about the next crime? Or do we want them having a little purpose in life and learning a skill?

Despite the fact that in America we incarcerate more juveniles for life terms than in any other country in the world the truth is that the vast majority of youth offenders will one day be released. The question is simple and stark. Do we want to help them change or do we want to help them become even more violent and dangerous?

It is tragic that people who are incarcerated are unable to vote. They are probably the most important voices to listen to because they can tell us what we need to change.