Fair sentencing for youth means recognizing that young people are different from adults and our courts and laws should treat them that way. Justice for youth means accountability with the chance to turn around.

Murder Victim Family Members Speak in Support of Second Chances for Youth

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What a Second Chance Looks Like: Youth Sentenced to Life with Parole

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Faith Leaders Speak Out

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Sara’s Story

Sara was sentenced to life in prison without parole at 16. In 2010 she became the only CA youth to have her sentenced reduced to 25 to life. Watch this six minute video to hear her story.

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News & Updates

Now is your chance! You can be a part of shaping the law! JOIN US!!
This week the Board will release the first draft of the regulations for Youth Offender Parole. Regulations are important! You can help shape them. Interested? Complete this questionnaire. Regulations are the rules that tell the agency, commissioners, and More »
Join CARES call Tuesday, November 18th at 8pm. Come to share and learn.
Everyone is welcome to join the CARES Family & Friends telephone meeting on Tuesday, November 18th at 8:00 pm when we welcome Attorney Barbara Dunn. Ms. Dunn has successfully represented many people seeking parole, and over the years chose to focus her practice primarily on the More »
Family & friends of youth sentenced to adult prison L.A. & Sacramento meetings a hit!
There was a lot of food, laughter, and sharing (along with a few tears) last week when over 60 people gathered in two in-person CARES meetings, one in Sacramento and the other in Los Angeles. The highlight was More »
Meeting Together! Join us!! LA or Sacramento
CARES family and friends of youth tried as adults will hold two in-person meetings for sharing, working on a holiday project together, and learning. Join us in Sacramento Nov. 1st and Los Angeles & Nov. 8th from 1pm More »
CA PASSES AB 1276–OFFERING SOME PROTECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SENT TO PRISON
Governor Brown signed into law AB 1276, a bill likely to prevent thousands of the state’s youngest prisoners from being initiated into their incarceration with the experience of rape, assault, and gang life.

Thank you to every one More »
Get the guide to Youth Offender Parole
Have questions about SB 260 and the youth offender parole process? You can find answers in the Youth Offender Parole (SB 260) guide for prisoners and their families and friends. Click here for a link (we ask that you give us More »

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Human Rights Watch Report on California

When I Die, They'll Send Me Home: Youth Sentenced to Life without Parole in California - 2012 update (PDF) finds that in many cases where juveniles were prosecuted with an adult, the youth received heavier sentences than their adult codefendants.