Former inmates who committed violent crimes as teenagers but were then freed two years ago are living with a sword hanging over their head.

Their freedom has been called into question by the state Department of Justice, which argues the law allowing their parole does not actually guarantee their release from prison if they have more sentences to serve.

So on Thursday, lawmakers on the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee discussed whether to step in and clarify the language in the statute, known as the “Second Chance Bill,” to make their original intent crystal clear: Juveniles sentenced to life in prison should have a clear path to another opportunity at life.

“Sometimes we don't get it right. We may not have got it right here,” said committee chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes,

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