How do competing explanations of deviance compare to juveniles serving life sentences in prison? America is the only country that incarcerates people under the age of 18 for life ( Knafo 2013 ). Scientists say the full level of maturity is not reached until a person is in their early 20s. Immature children without adult brains commit crimes as adults and serve sentences as adults. Why? The answer lies in explanations of deviance. Statistics state that nearly 3,000 minors in American prisons are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (EJI). Each case has ample evidence that deviant behavior led to bad deeds and ultimately life imprisonment. For example, Sara Kruzan was introducing herself to a life of socially deviant behavior. She was forced into prostitution and under the dominant control of a pimp. Eventually, the amount of deviant behavior she was exposed to led her to reach boiling point and kill her pimp. So, the result was that the deviant behavior caused another form of deviant behavior which resulted in Sara Kruzan serving a life sentence in prison at the tender age of 13. Luckily, the state where the crime was committed established new laws and Sara was subsequently released from prison. (Knafo 2013). Unlike Sara, many other juveniles sentenced to life imprisonment are still waiting to be released. In this article I would like to discuss three of these minors and the congruent explanation of deviance. The arrangement will be as follows:1. Cyntoia Brown (biosocial explanation)2. Jacob Ind (psychological)3. Erik Jensen (Sociological) Three Explanations of Deviance Understanding the three explanations of deviance reveals the complexity or deviant behavior each is relevant to juveniles serving life sentences. Works Cited Bikel, O. (Editor). (2007). When Children Get Life [Documentary]. USA: WGBH Educational Foundation.Birman, DH (Director). (2011). Me in front of life [Documentary]. USA: Cinema Guild.Deviance. (2001). In the world of sociology, Gale. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/worldsocs/devianceEqual Justice Initiative. (n.d.). Children in adult prison. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www.eji.org/childrenprisonKnafo, S. (September 20, 2013). Here are all the countries where children are sentenced to die in prison. The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/20/juvenile-life-without-parole_n_3962983.htmlThio, A., Calhoun, T. C., & Conyers, A. (2010). Readings in deviant behavior (6th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.