Bill > H2208

This bill establishes mandatory post-release supervision for individuals sentenced to incarceration in Massachusetts, meaning that after serving their prison time, they will be subject to a period of oversight. The parole board will administer and oversee these functions, and the duration of this supervision will generally be 25% of the maximum sentence imposed, or at least nine months, whichever is longer, though exceptions exist for those on parole or probation, or sentenced to lifetime community parole. Depending on the length of the sentence, supervision will be handled by either the office of the commissioner of probation or the parole board, with both agencies developing uniform regulations. Individuals can be eligible for early termination of supervision after successfully completing nine months, provided they meet certain criteria like employment and housing stability. Violations of supervision can lead to increased oversight, intermediate sanctions, or re-incarceration, and the bill also outlines how supervision is considered completed, including if an individual is immediately committed to custody in another jurisdiction. These provisions will take effect on January 1, 2012, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.