JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Terrence Graham was 19 years old when he became inmate J25706. He is now 37 years old.
Graham, who is from Jacksonville, spent almost two decades in Florida prison for crimes he committed as a minor. His case, which ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010, led to a landmark decision about the sentencing of juvenile offenders.
On Tuesday, a Duval County judge changed his sentence to allow his release. That process has begun and he could get out in the next few days.
Graham is set to transition to Prisoners of Christ, an organization that sets up jobs, housing and behavioral therapy for citizens returning to society from prison. A friend of Graham’s said it’s a step in the right direction for equality, justice and reform.
In 2003, when he was 16 years old, Graham and three other teens tried to rob a barbecue restaurant in Jacksonville. They didn’t get any money. But Graham, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony armed burglary with assault and battery.
He was released, and six months later was charged with home invasion robbery when he was 17 years old. That made him eligible for life in prison, according to Florida law at the time.
Graham was 19 years old when he was sentenced to life without parole in 2006.
Four years later, Graham’s case was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that life in prison without a chance of parole is cruel and unusual punishment for defendants under the age of 18 who have not been convicted of murder.
In 2012, Graham was resentenced to 25 years in prison. Since then, the Florida Legislature has passed a law allowing for criminals sentenced as teens to have a chance for review after 15, 20 or 25 years served, depending on the crimes.
A group called, PleadThe8th, which advocates for juvenile justice reform, is working to prevent cases like Graham’s from happening again.
Jessica Richardson has always seen promise. She’s a social worker who founded the group PleadThe8th, the co-founder is Graham. The 8th Amendment to the Constitution states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
“In my opinion, his punishment was excessive,” Richardson said. “Both times, Graham’s score sheet is 60 months. That’s five years. A mandatory minimum for possession of a gun is 10 years. So five years, 10 years, life without parole. That’s a little excessive.”
“He needed to be held accountable, of course, but not that long.”
Richardson said the two are already working on getting justice for other people sentenced to life at an early age. Graham said he now wants to help the community he once harmed.
“He wants to prove some people wrong. And I know that he will. He already had a job before he even gets out,” Richardson said.
Graham will still be on 5 years probation with a list of requirements. The first is to complete a transition program through Prisoners of Christ.
“I am grateful that Terrence will be free very soon and that he was accepted to the Prisoners of Christ re-entry program,” his attorney Bryan S. Gowdy told News4JAX. “I would ask all to pray for his successful re-entry into our community.”