The documentary film “Natural Life” will be shown on Monday, February 16, at Kalamazoo College’s Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership (ACSJL). The film focuses on juveniles who are serving life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with sponsor introductions; screening of the film follows at 7 p.m. The sponsoring organizations are seeking legislative action to eliminate juvenile life sentences also for youths convicted before 2012. In addition to the ACSJL, sponsors include Amnesty International USA Group 29, Kalamazoo Metropolitan Branch NAACP, Southwest Michigan American Civil Liberties Union, and the Kalamazoo College Amnesty International Group.

In Michigan some 350 prisoners were convicted as perpetrators or accessories to capital crimes committed when they were juveniles. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In 2012 the United States Supreme Court banned such sentences as unconstitutional; nevertheless, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has held that the ruling does not apply retroactively to Michigan youths sentenced before the Supreme Court decision. The ACSJL is located at the corner of Monroe and Academy streets. The event is free and open to the public.