Bill > S826

This bill aims to reduce mass incarceration by modifying several provisions of Massachusetts law related to parole eligibility and sentencing. Key changes include: - Allowing individuals serving multiple life sentences for separate incidents to become eligible for parole after 25 years of their second or most recent sentence, rather than being ineligible for parole. - Removing the exceptions that previously excluded certain prisoners serving life sentences for murder in the first degree from being eligible for parole. - Requiring the court to set a minimum sentence of 25 years for first-degree murder, with exceptions for younger offenders. - Providing that individuals convicted as habitual offenders will become eligible for parole after serving 25 years of their sentence. - Establishing a general rule that no person shall be imprisoned for more than 25 years without a parole hearing. The overall goal of the bill is to increase opportunities for parole and reduce extremely long sentences, particularly for certain categories of offenders, in an effort to address the issue of mass incarceration in Massachusetts.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S826