Introduction In the United States, every year, there are numerous juvenile delinquents who are sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. This article will explain how a troubled boy at age 15 ends up being convicted, receiving one of the harshest punishments in the United States, and what actions could prevent this event from happening in the future in the lives of other young delinquents. Discussion In a recent news story reported by Hanson (2013), Travion Blount was convicted and sentenced to six life sentences. He did not commit murder, rape or any type of sexual assault. He was convicted of 51 crimes including illegal use of firearms, robbery and kidnapping. Blount's supporters argue that his six life sentences for armed robbery violate the constitutional ban against cruel and unusual punishment. How is it possible that a fifteen year old found himself with such an atrocious sentence? Here's a summary of what happened. Hanson (2013) recounts that on September 23, 2006, Travion Blount, Morris Downing and David Nichols, members of the Crips gang, went to a house near the Norfolk Navy base neighborhood in Virginia, where they believed a drug dealer was living with some roommates. They took out their weapons, stole money and some herbs. The police captured all three within a week. Nichols and Downing, both 18 and legally adults, pleaded guilty and received 10 and 13 years. They had to testify against Blount to receive fewer years in prison. Blount, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted and punished with six life sentences. Blount was described from his childhood as shy and introverted. He often skipped school. His parents were divorced, both had jobs and spent little time with Blount. Blount met Downing who taught him about the gang lifestyle... middle of paper... proper guidance and support from social groups such as school and family, juvenile delinquency may decrease and youth problems could lead to meaningful lives and successful. Works Cited Bartollas, Clemens and Miller, Stuart J. (2014). Juvenile justice in America (7 ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, 58-60. Booth, J., Farrell, A., & Varano, S. (2008). Social control, serious delinquency and risky behavior: a gender analysis. Crime and Delinquency, 54(3), 423-456. Church, W. T., Wharton, T., & Taylor, J. K. (2008). An examination of differential association and social control theory: Family systems and delinquency. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 7(1), 3-15. Hanson, L. (2013, November 4). Life is six times. The Virginia Pilot, pp. 1-6. Hinton, W., Sheperis, C., & Sims, P. (2000). Family approaches to juvenile delinquency. The family diary, 11(2), 167-173.