Search

In this article, the author recalls her face-to-face meeting with a prison inmate. Paul Jensen is currently serving a life sentence without parole in South Dakota for a crime committed at age 14. In January 1996, Paul was involved in a robbery that went tragically wrong and resulted in the shooting death of taxi cab driver Michael Hare. Three expert witnesses testified on Paul's behalf, stating that he had many positive qualities and, given the proper support, he could thrive. At the time Paul was convicted, the author was working as a volunteer for Reclaiming Youth. Her heart ached for the family of Michael Hare, but at the same time, also for Paul, the 14 year old boy discarded by the state of South Dakota. She wanted Paul to find hope in what seemed to be a hopeless situation, so she began writing letters to Paul and he wrote back. They exchanged dozens of letters, and then for the author, life got in the way. Sixteen years later a glimmer of hope appeared. In "Miller v. Alabama," the Supreme Court ruled that life without parole for juveniles was unconstitutional. The author, who was now working at Reclaiming Youth International, picked up a pen and began to write to Paul again, after all those years. This article is an account of the author meeting Paul in person at the South Dakota State Penitentiary.