Give New Mexico’s Juveniles a Second Chance to Succeed!

A recent study from Montclair State University found recidivism rates are extremely low among juvenile lifers who were released following sentencing reform, with only a 1% recidivism rate after 1.5 years.

Imprisoning juveniles for life is extremely costly for taxpayers. According to a 2007 study by researchers at UC Berkley and Tulane University, on average, it costs $2.5 million to incarcerate a juvenile for life in the United States. 

In contrast, by working from age 26 to age 66, an average worker with a high school education generates $218,560 in tax revenue, and an average worker with a college education generates $706,560 in tax revenue.

We need to give the New Mexico parole board an opportunity to weigh individual circumstances and make a parole decision accordingly while allowing reformed men and women an opportunity to succeed.

I urge you to support giving New Mexicans an opportunity for a second chance!