It's just the way things are in my world. And since this one is very similar to mine, I imagine it rings true in this world as well. Youth is valued. Youth is pitied. No matter how horrible their crimes, it will always be the young, attractive people who are misunderstood rather than truly horrible.

What you're describing is not how society as a whole works. It's wonderful and idealistic, but unfortunately you truly are a rarity. The young person who turns to a life of crime is considered a poor, tormented soul whereas an older person is thought to have known better and that they made their bed so they must lie in it.