Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

Watch Now

Season 19 of 9 Episodes
  • 14-year-old Aaron shoots his neighbor, 14-year-old Alana, in her home in Harlem, Ga.; Aaron is sentenced to life without parole at 15 but appeals his sentence at the age of 21.
  • On April 10, 1995, 15-year-old Curtis is one of four teens involved in a fatal carjacking attempt and is sentenced to life in prison without parole; after 23 years in jail, Curtis is granted a resentencing and could soon be released.
  • In 2010, 17-year-old Preston is one of three teens involved in an attempted robbery that results in murder; sentenced along with the other teens to life without parole, Preston is granted a resentencing hearing at the age of 25.
  • In 1992, 15-year-old Bobby shoots his girlfriend's parents as they sleep in their Texas home, killing the mother; Bobby is sentenced to life in prison despite claims he was manipulated into committing the murder, and hopes to appeal his sentence.
  • In 2001, a group of teens including 15-year-old Brandon kidnap and rape a 21-year-old college student in Youngstown, Ohio; tried as an adult, Brandon is sentenced to 141 years in prison without parole.
  • In 1990, 15-year-old James kills his stepmother and three young brothers with a shotgun, then sets their rural Wyoming home on fire; 27 years later, James' legal team argues that his original sentence is unconstitutional.
  • In 1998, 16-year-old Otis breaks into Valerie's home and allegedly tries to rob her, shooting her and her 16-year-old daughter; sentenced to life without parole, Otis is later granted a resentencing hearing and hopes he can someday be released.
  • In 1999, 17-year-old Ronald and two other teens seek retaliation for an alleged sexual assault, ultimately burning their victim alive in the woods of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; now 36 years old, Ronald is granted a resentencing hearing.
  • Final rulings are issued for convicted murderers Otis Daniels, Ronald Bell and Kristel Maestas; Otis' attorney works to strike a deal to make him eligible for parole; Kristel has a resentencing hearing while her victim's family testifies against her.

Record to Watch Later

14 episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks

    Otis
    Brandon
    Aaron
    Curtis
    Preston
    Bobby
    James
    Ronald
    Special
    Shelton
  • Otis

    In 1998, 16-year-old Otis breaks into Valerie's home and allegedly tries to rob her, shooting her and her 16-year-old daughter; sentenced to life without parole, Otis is later granted a resentencing hearing and hopes he can someday be released.
    Upcoming
  • Brandon

    In 2001, a group of teens including 15-year-old Brandon kidnap and rape a 21-year-old college student in Youngstown, Ohio; tried as an adult, Brandon is sentenced to 141 years in prison without parole.
    Upcoming
  • Aaron

    14-year-old Aaron shoots his neighbor, 14-year-old Alana, in her home in Harlem, Ga.; Aaron is sentenced to life without parole at 15 but appeals his sentence at the age of 21.
    Upcoming
  • Curtis

    On April 10, 1995, 15-year-old Curtis is one of four teens involved in a fatal carjacking attempt and is sentenced to life in prison without parole; after 23 years in jail, Curtis is granted a resentencing and could soon be released.
    Upcoming
  • Preston

    In 2010, 17-year-old Preston is one of three teens involved in an attempted robbery that results in murder; sentenced along with the other teens to life without parole, Preston is granted a resentencing hearing at the age of 25.
    Upcoming
  • Bobby

    In 1992, 15-year-old Bobby shoots his girlfriend's parents as they sleep in their Texas home, killing the mother; Bobby is sentenced to life in prison despite claims he was manipulated into committing the murder, and hopes to appeal his sentence.
    Upcoming
Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

More about Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole

On the heels of a recent United States Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life terms without the possibility of parole for juveniles is a violation of the 8th Amendment, this docuseries spotlights eight convicted child offenders who are now seeking resentencing. The focus is split between the facts of the crimes when they were originally committed, combined with new evidence that has come to light, and the real-time updates regarding potential releases, parole hearings, and resentencing as they currently unfold. Each episode includes exclusive commentary from the convicted offenders from prison plus perspectives from leading psychologists, law enforcement and reporters closest to each case.

Subscribe to Enjoy 70+ Channels

Watch and record live TV with a Philo subscription

One Subscription.
Endless Entertainment.
Unlock live TV, binge-worthy shows, hit movies, and more. Starting at $25/month.
View plans
  • Exposing Parchman
  • Reasonable Doubt
  • Women on Death Row
  • Booked: First Day In
  • Inmate to Roommate
  • Scott Peterson: The New Evidence
  • Guilt by Association
  • Court Cam
  • The People v. Michael Jackson
  • 120 Hours Behind Bars
  • SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Love After Lockup
  • The First 48
  • Fatal Attraction
  • The Golden Girls
  • Tyler Perry's House of Payne
  • For My Man
  • 90 Day Fiancé
  • Tyler Perry's The Oval
  • Everybody Loves Raymond

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Philo is a live TV streaming service that offers two plans to fit your entertainment needs:

    Essential ($25/month): 70+ live channels and over 75,000 movies and shows on-demand. New users get a 7-day free trial!

    Bundle+ ($33/month): Includes all the channels and entire streaming library available in the Essential plan, the entire AMC+ library, and access to HBO Max Basic with Ads plan and discovery+ included.

    Both plans: offer 1-year unlimited cloud DVR, let you stream on up to 3 devices at once, create up to 10 profiles, and cancel anytime with no contract.

    Free Channels: Not ready to subscribe? You can also enjoy Free Channels with no credit card required—simply create your account and start watching.
  • Yes! New users that sign up for the Essential plan can try it free for 7 days. You can explore our channels, features, and content before your subscription begins. No contract required—cancel anytime before your trial ends with no charges.

    • An email address
    • A future payment method
    • A broadband internet connection
    • A supported device
    Philo devices
    Web, iPhone & iPad, Android phones & tablets, Roku, Fire TV, Samsung TV, VIZIO TV, LG TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Chromecast via Android
  • Yes! You can record an unlimited amount of live or upcoming content to your cloud DVR and save them for up to a year. No equipment needed!
    Save
  • Nope! No hardware is required, ever. Philo's DVR is already built into the app, so there's nothing to plug in, set up, or pay extra for.

    With an Essential or Bundle+ subscription, you get unlimited DVR storage included, and your recordings are saved for a full year. If you're watching with the Free Channels, recordings are saved for 30 days.
  • Yes! You can enjoy tons of premium television and movies by upgrading your Philo subscription plan with add-ons.

    Here is a list of our available add-ons:

    • HBO Max Standard (ad-free): Watch HBO Originals and hit movies ad-free for $13 more per month. Live sports included (in HBO Max app).
    • Movies & More: Watch award-winning films, cult classics, celebrity stories, documentaries, and more - for $3 more per month.
    • AMC+ (ad-free): Enjoy ad-free access to the entire AMC+ library for $4 more per month.
    • MGM+ (ad-free): Stream thousands of the latest hits, fan favorites, original series, documentaries, and comedy specials for an additional $8/month.
    • ALLBLK (ad-free): Stream original series, independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, reality, and lively stage plays for $7 more per month.
    • Hallmark+ (ad-free): Watch exclusive originals, reality shows, rom-coms, cozy mysteries, heartfelt dramas, and beloved holiday movies for an additional $8/month.
    • STARZ (ad-free): Enjoy today’s hits, classic movies, and bold original series for an additional $12/month.
  • HBO Max:
    • Sign up for the Bundle+ ($33/month) plan.
    • Go to your Philo account page and follow the steps to activate your HBO Max Basic with Ads plan account.

    discovery+:
    • Sign up for the Bundle+ ($33/month) plan.
    • Go to your Philo account page and follow the steps to activate your discovery+ account.