The Right to Redemption
October 7, 2021
Conversation with Kempis “Ghani” Songster and Professor Rachel Lopez on Redeeming Justice: The Right to Redemption
In this episode, activist Kempis “Ghani” Songster and Professor Rachel Lopez discuss their article, written with co-author Terrell Carter: Redeeming Justice. You can read their article here. After Jones, mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles remain unconstitutional; if someone under 18 is sentenced to life without parole under a mandatory sentencing scheme, that person is entitled to a rehearing. Yet the majority’s opinion in Jones suggests that youth need not be considered explicitly when LWOP is part of a discretionary sentencing scheme.