Parole — which allows people to be released from prison before their maximum sentence release date — used to be an integral part of rehabilitation
From systematically revoking parole for minor technical violations to failing to fairly consider juvenile offenders, the modern day parole system is broken.
We are committed to exposing unjust parole practices, assisting those most affected navigate the process and fighting for system reforms and public accountability.
Key Cases
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Gasca v. Precythe
Parole
In Missouri, the Parole Board is running an assembly-line parole process that pushes people back into our prisons without any real legal protections. In many instances, alleged parole violators are tricked or pressured into waiving their right to a hearing and being returned to prison without any process at all.
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Brown v. Precythe
Parole
The MacArthur Justice Center is pursuing a federal class action challenging the Missouri Parole Board’s demonstrated abuse of power, disregard for due process and failure to comply with state and federal law when it comes to youthful offenders previously given mandatory life without parole sentences.
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Gray v. Missouri Department of Corrections
Parole
The MacArthur Justice Center has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Eric Gray challenging the Missouri Department of Corrections’ (MDOC) parole system violation of the constitutional rights of youthful offenders. Citing a series of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the suit argues that inmates who were sentenced for crimes committed as children, like Mr. Gray,...
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Chandler v. State of Mississippi
Parole
Joey Chandler committed murder in 2003, when he was 17. He is currently in prison in Mississippi, serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole. If any juvenile offender can demonstrate rehabilitation, it is Joey Chandler. His disciplinary record over more than a decade of his incarceration has been virtually spotless. He has availed...
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Copelin v. Gusman
Parole
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Crittindon v. Gusman
Parole
The MacArthur Justice Center (MJC) filed a lawsuit representing five individuals who were held in custody for several months after their release dates had come and gone. Each client pled guilty to charges in Orleans Parish and were sentenced to the custody of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety (DPS&C); each was entitled to release at that...
Key Facts
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1 in 31
On any given day, roughly 7 million people – about one in every 31 people – are under the supervision of the corrections system, either locked up or probation or parole. -
2,500 children
Approximately 2,500 children have been sentenced to juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) in the United States. -
Supreme Court Ruling
In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment to impose an automatic sentence of life without the possibility of parole upon juvenile offenders because of their developmental immaturity, impetuousness, and susceptibility to negative peer influences. -
JLWOP
There were 2,310 people serving life-without-parole sentences for crimes committed as juveniles (JLWOP) at the end of 2016. -
Ruling Retroactive
In 2016, the Supreme Court clarified that their ruling was retroactive - meaning all offenders previously given juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences are entitled to a new sentence with the possibility of release. -
Re-Sentencings Denied
However, several states, including Missouri, denied re-sentencing hearings for impacted youthful offenders until litigation, brought by the MacArthur Justice Center, forced the system to be overhauled.