How blameworthy are they? Examining emerging adult culpability in parole decision-making through a developmental lens

• In Event: Contemporary Review of Parole: What's the Latest?

Abstract

Culpability factors play a role in justice system decisions to determine levels of responsibility and punishment. The Supreme Court decided the lessened culpability of juveniles should be considered in sentencing youth less punitively than adults due to their developmental differences, but neuroscientific evidence suggests the brain continues to develop into a person’s mid-twenties, including areas of the brain involved in judgment and decision-making. Still, young adults aged 18 to 25 years old—considered emerging adults—do not receive the same Supreme Court protections, even though they are disproportionately sentenced to life. Although some states have implemented justice policies that consider the unique developmental stage of emerging adults, parole remains an ambiguous decision point that affects the ultimate sentence length an individual serves. This chapter examines the culpability of emerging adults in parole decision-making through a developmental, life-course lens. Current research and policy are reviewed and discussed with attention to the weight of culpability factors in parole decisions for emerging adults sentenced to life.

Authors

• Meghan Koza, Sam Houston State University

• Victoria Rivera Laugalis, Loyola University New Orleans