The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday, May 17th, 2010 that is was cruel and unusual punishment for a juvenile under the age of 18 to be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole where the crime of murder hasn’t been committed. The Supreme Court Justices ruled 5-4 in favor of releasing juveniles that have been given a life sentence when murder wasn’t involved as one of the crimes. It also found that Juveniles should be given the chance at parole no matter what the circumstances are.

The Supreme Court Justice ruling came after Terence Jamar Graham was given a second chance as a juvenile in Florida after attempting to rob a store. After being released He returned to a life of crime as a juvenile, and committed a home invasion burglary with a hand gun with two accomplices to help him. He was then given a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The Supreme Court also ruled 7-2 that sexual offenders can be kept in prison longer than there sentences if they are still found to be dangerous after their prison terms have ended. Sexual offenders can also be kept in prison for life if needed to protect the community and general public.