Professor Speaks on New Orleans Public Radio about Issues Juvenile Lifers Face Coming Home 

Decisions made by the Supreme Court have moved to release many individuals who were given life without parole sentences as juveniles. Dr. Tarika Daftary-Kapur, Associate Professor of Justice Studies, spoke to New Orleans Public Radio about the journey of former juvenile lifers’ as they reconnect with family and life upon release.

Juveniles facing life enter prison at young ages. Years later upon release, they reconnect with the family who last saw them as kids. “They’re sort of treated as children as opposed to grown men and that can lead to some disconnect. It can lead to frustration,” said Dr. Daftary-Kapur.

In some corrections systems, education and rehabilitation aren’t priorities for people serving life sentences, said Dr. Daftary-Kapur. Lack of access to these supportive programs makes adjusting to regular life more difficult.

Written by Vivvy Gundani