Former lifers discuss hopes, fears after winning parole

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May 19, 2014

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Former lifers discuss hopes, fears after winning parole

Inmates serving life sentences with the possibility of parole rarely get out of prison in California, a trend that's lasted decades. Most of these so-called "lifers" committed murder, and most have been routinely denied parole.

At 17, James Thomas killed someone during a robbery. After 30 years in prison and being denied parole 14 times, Thomas was released nine months ago.

Inmates serving life sentences with the possibility of parole rarely get out of prison in California, a trend that's lasted decades. Most of these so-called "lifers" committed murder, and most have been routinely denied parole.

For decades, California inmates serving long sentences such as 25-years-to-life had very little chance of being released. Parole was routinely denied by the Board of Parole Hearings or blocked by the governor.

But in the past few years, there's been a dramatic change. Since a key Supreme Court ruling in 2008, the number of so-called "lifers" winning parole has steadily climbed. Since then, more than 1,700 lifers have been released

VIDEO: After 17 years in prison, a second chance

The California Report's Scott Shafer has the story.