Update on juvenile “lifers” in Pennsylvania

    Listen 00:48:33

    Guests: John Wetzel, Lauren Fine, Tyrone Jones, Jennifer Storm

    Pennsylvania has the highest number of juvenile lifers in its prisons. But with the Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional, many of the 506 lifers could be up for parole.  So far, four men have been released.  This hour, we’ll talk about juvenile justice, the new sentencing hearings and the challenges of reentry for people who essentially grew up behind bars. Our guests include JOHN WETZEL, Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary, LAUREN FINE, co-director of The Youth Sentencing and Reentry Program, and TYRONE JONES , a juvenile lifer who was recently paroled after serving 43 years in prison.  We’ll also hear about victims concerns with the resentencing hearings from JENNIFER STORM, Victim Advocate for Pennsylvania.

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