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

Ask your questions of one of the most experienced parole attorneys in the state
Mr. Keith Wattley will join our CARES call on March 3rd at 8pm. He is the managing attorney for the Uncommon Law firm and an expert on parole law who has for many years been a strong advocate for people

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Director of Board of Parole Speaks to CARES Family & Friends Call. Join us!
Join us for the CARES family & friends call Tuesday, February 3rd at 8:00 pm when we welcome Jennifer Shaffer, Executive Officer Board of Parole Hearings. Ms. Shaffer is the director of the Board of Parole Hearings, (BPH) and will speak to

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The experience of one victim family member when a youth offender is resentenced
An excellent article that starts by describing a campaign to reduce mass incarceration but then introduces a son dealing with his father’s murder and the resentencing hearing for the man who as a teen got life without parole for the crime. Insightful and

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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 »

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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.