A Last Reflection Behind Bars: Rethinking Life Sentences for Children in the United States

Miller v. Alabama (2012)
In Miller v. Alabama, the Court ruled that mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. While the ruling did not categorically ban juvenile life sentences, it required courts to consider a young person’s age, background, and capacity for change before imposing such a penalty.

The Court emphasized that children are constitutionally different from adults for sentencing purposes.

Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016)
In Montgomery v. Louisiana, the Court held that the Miller decision must be applied retroactively. This ruling opened the door for individuals already serving mandatory juvenile life sentences to seek resentencing or parole review.