House Corrections Committee Hears Testimony on H.379 ‘Second Look’ Sentence‑review Bill

The House Corrections and Institutions Committee took testimony April 16 on H.379, a proposed second‑look sentencing bill that would let judges review long prison terms after a set minimum period — 15 years in the draft under discussion. Representative Eric McGuire introduced the bill and called it a “balanced approach,” and clinical psychologist and restorative‑justice facilitator Dr. Roshani Rees gave the committee the presentation and evidence underpinning the measure.

Second look, as described to the committee, authorizes a judicial review of a sentence after an incarcerated person has served a lengthy term; under the Vermont draft the earliest eligibility would be 15 years. “This is not a get out of jail free card,” Representative Eric McGuire said, adding that the draft requires a substantive process including assessments and demonstrations of remorse and rehabilitation before a judge could reduce a sentence.

Dr. Roshani Rees told committee members that the bill responds to a growing national problem: an aging population of people serving very long or life sentences. She cited national figures compiled by the Sentencing Project showing sharp increases in life sentences since the 1990s and said Vermont now has 212 people serving long life‑range sentences — 170 serving life with…