An Act establishing presumptive parole
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill proposes to establish a system of presumptive parole in Massachusetts, utilizing structured, actuarially-based guidelines to determine eligibility. The goal is to shift the focus of parole decisions from solely considering an individual’s past behavior to assessing their risk of reoffending. If the guidelines indicate a low risk, a parole hearing would be presumed, potentially leading to earlier release for eligible inmates. This aims to reduce the prison population and improve public safety.
Key provisions
- Utilizes structured, actuarially-based guidelines for parole decisions.
- Establishes presumptive parole eligibility based on risk assessment.
- Reduces reliance on subjective factors in parole determinations.
- Aims to decrease the overall prison population.
- Requires a study order (H5281) to inform the implementation of the guidelines.
Who is affected
- Incarcerated individuals
- Correctional officers
- The Massachusetts Judiciary
- Prisoners
- The Department of Correction
Notable changes
- Shifts parole decisions from discretionary to a more data-driven, risk-based approach.
- May lead to earlier release for inmates deemed low risk by the guidelines.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
3 on record
Primary sponsor
David M. Rogers
Cosponsors
David M. Rogers
Joanne M. Comerford
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