New York Now Considers Youth As A Factor For Inmates’ Parole

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state now considers an inmate's age at the time of the crime to ensure that offenders receiving long sentences as juveniles have a legitimate chance at release.

Corrections officials say the Board of Parole made the change immediately after a 2016 ruling that juveniles must be granted a meaningful chance at release during parole proceedings.

Though New York has never sentenced juveniles to life without parole, groups including the New York Civil Liberties Union had criticized officials for looking only at crimes, and not youth, in parole determinations.

Attorney Phil Desgranges (day-GRONJ') says the state is acknowledging research that shows juveniles' brains aren't fully developed.

Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have narrowed the instances in which those who commit offenses under age 18 can receive the harshest penalties.