A state-bystate look at juvenile life without parole
› ALABAMA Inmates: At least 72 inmates were inmates sentenced to life without parole for murders committed as juveniles, including Evan Miller, one of two teens whose murder convictions resulted in the landmark 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said mandatory life without parole is unconstitutional for minors convicted of homicide.
Resentenced or released: At least 20 inmates have been resentenced to parole-eligible sentences. One has gone before the parole board, but was denied release. A judge presided over a new sentencing hearing for Miller in March. A decision is pending.
The law: Lawmakers in 2016 passed a measure that allows juveniles convicted of capital murder life with the possibility of parole after 30 years, but life without parole remains an option.
› GEORGIA Inmates: 25 serving life without parole for crimes committed as minors, according to corrections officials.
Resentenced or released: Experts are aware of only one resentencing case. The Georgia Supreme Court vacated the no-parole sentence of a man convicted for murder, rape, armed robbery and other charges at 17, emphasizing that such sentences should be permitted for only the “rarest of juvenile offenders.” The inmate was resentenced to two consecutive life terms but could be eligible for parole at age 77.
The law: Georgia law requires that inmates given life sentences for violent felonies serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole, including juveniles sentenced as adults.
› TENNESSEE Inmates: 13 inmates are serving life without parole for crimes committed as juveniles; roughly 100 other juvenile offenders who must serve a minimum of 51 years before being eligible for parole.
Resentenced or released: The state so far is not offering resentencing to the 13 juvenile life-without-parole inmates. As for the others, officials with Nashville’s Juvenile Court have been pushing to reduce lengthy parole-eligible terms to 20 years for juvenile offenders. A state task force could recommend changes.
The law: State lawmakers considered a bill this year that would allow juveniles to be eligible for parole after 20 years in prison. The bill was amended to make it 30 years, but the measure was pulled. The bill will be considered again next year.