Bill > S1390

This bill proposes several changes to the parole system in Massachusetts. Firstly, it increases the number of parole board members from seven to nine, and requires that at least three members have experience in fields such as psychiatry, psychology, social work, or substance use disorder treatment, with at least one being a licensed mental health professional. The bill also requires the parole board to use structured, actuarially-based parole guidelines and a validated risk and needs assessment tool when making parole decisions, and to consider the prisoner's participation in work, education, and treatment programs, as well as any reasonable accommodations needed for prisoners with disabilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that the parole board secure a medically appropriate placement within 60 days for any prisoner granted parole who is unable to secure a home plan due to a bodily infirmity or disease. The bill also sets forth detailed requirements for the parole board's decision-making process, including the need to specify the reasons for denying parole and the tasks the applicant must complete prior to the next hearing. Finally, the bill expands eligibility for parole for certain life sentence prisoners and requires the parole board to hold public hearings for these cases, while also granting prisoners access to information provided to the board, with limited exceptions to protect confidentiality.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1390