A new bill was recently introduced that would give juvenile offenders another chance. 

If passed, the Senate bill would give people who were sentenced to life in prison while a minor a chance of parole at fifteen years, according to KRQE.

“The bill does not guarantee release of those who have become eligible for review," attorney with the ACLU of New Mexico Denali Wilson said, according to the station. "It merely creates an opportunity for them to demonstrate rehabilitation and that they deserve a second chance. People will have to demonstrate their reform and rehabilitation and that they are no longer a risk to public safety.”

Proponents of the bill say it's possible that someone can change their life after committing crimes in their youth, and they give examples of people such as Eric Alexander who is now helping the community, according to KRQE.

“As a teen, I faced life without parole. I narrowly avoided the sentence by accepting two 25-year sentences,” Alexander, who went to prison for robbery and murder said.  “I served 10 years of that sentence and I’ve been out for 17 years.”

While in prison, Alexander worked to earn a degree and studied developmental psychology to help youth who were also formerly incarcerated.

Opponents to the bill claim there should be no chance of freedom given the heinousness of the crime.