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Joint committee hears dozens of lifers and advocates urge hearings for those serving life without parole
Summary
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard more than a hundred in-person and remote witnesses — including people serving life sentences, family members and advocacy groups — pressing lawmakers to allow parole review after 25 years and to consider reducing the use of life without parole.
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a multi-hour public hearing June 1 where incarcerated people, family members and dozens of advocates testified in favor of bills to end or limit life without parole and expand parole review.
Speakers including people serving life sentences, their relatives and elected officials said providing parole eligibility or review after 25 years would let the parole board determine whether release is compatible with public safety while allowing people who have demonstrated rehabilitation to seek reintegration.
Why it matters: Massachusetts has a comparatively high share of people serving life…
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