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Court Decision Brings Hope, Uncertainty for Juveniles Sentenced to Life

JJIE quotes CJCJ’s Daniel Macallair on today’s Supreme Court decision to retroactively extend a a 2012 verdict ruling juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) as unconstitutional. 

Daniel Macallair, executive director of Center of Juvenile and Criminal Justice, called the decision a humane one. It brings the United States more in line with the rest of the world, he said. The U.S. is the only country in the world that allows juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole.

It’s the right thing to do,’ he said. The rest of the world has recognized the idea that it’s not a good idea to sentence children to die in prison without any hope of release.’ ”