Criminal justice: They were sentenced to life in prison. Who should decide if they get a second chance?

The process was laborious, with multiple hearings in front of commissioners, a risk assessment, a psychological evaluation and a review of his institutional record. Taylor’s wife, Jene Traore, and Amber helped him put together a “home plan” laying out what his life would look like if he were released, and state officials called them to verify each detail. As Taylor’s family sketched out his possible life at home, they started to believe, as many families do at this stage, that it might happen — he might come home.