Key points

There's a psychological difference between being a "lifer" and being eligible for parole.

Problematic behavior in prison and level of insight are critical factors considered in parole decisions.

When parole is denied, motivation for self-improvement is especially difficult.

On August 21st and 22nd, Erik and Lyle Menendez were denied parole. The hopes of the two brothers and the family, friends, and advocates who had been working on their behalf were dashed. As I learned from interviewing former youth offenders convicted of murder and other violent crimes for my forthcoming book, Before Their Crimes: What We’re Misunderstanding About Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime , and the Path to Healing , the important question is, what do they do now?

Until recently, when they were

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