States revisit mandatory sentences for juveniles

States across the country, including Connecticut, are considering changes to their juvenile sentencing laws in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court case that determined life sentences without parole for juveniles are unconstitutional.

An estimated 2,100 inmates across the U.S. with lengthy sentences and no chance for parole could be affected by the 2012 ruling in the case of Miller v. Alabama. The court has ruled that the sentence must take into account “the mitigating qualities of youth,” such as immaturity and impulsivity.

At least 10 states have changed their laws to comply. Connecticut failed to pass a bill this year.

One Connecticut inmate, Nicholas Aponte, partially blames his immaturity for his involvement in a botched 1995 robbery that left one man dead.