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| Parents Speak Up On Proposals To Limit Sentences For Offenders Under 18 |
| By jjie.org - Daniela Altimari |
| Published: 11/26/2013 |
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Marco Torres always told his son, Jonathan, ''If you do something wrong, I will turn you in.'' So when detectives knocked on the door of the family's New Britain home a few years ago looking to talk with Jonathan, then 17, the elder Torres let them in. "I woke him up and he was a little groggy,'' Torres recalled, ''and I said to him, 'Why are they here?' He said it was because of a home invasion. Then they put the cuffs on him and took him away.'' Jonathan Torres is now Inmate 372443 at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution. He was sentenced to 25 years, to be suspended after 13. Marco Torres was one of dozens of parents of prisoners who came to the state Capitol complex on Thursday to testify in support of a package of proposals to change sentencing policies for offenders who are under 18. The Connecticut Sentencing Commission is weighing a number of criminal justice policy changes. One would provide a mechanism for juvenile offenders serving lengthy sentences the chance for parole. Another would end life in prison without the possibility of release for those who commit the most serious capital crimes. A recent U.S. Supreme Court case, Miller v. Alabama, holds that life sentences for offenders under 18 are unconstitutional and requires states to provide young prisoners with "a meaningful opportunity" to seek release. Read More. |
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