Bill Advances Parole Eligibility, Will Enhance Public Safety While Saving Millions

BOSTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation that would expand parole eligibility for nonviolent drug offenders, many of whom are barred from applying for parole because of mandatory minimum sentencing laws.

Barbara J. Dougan, FAMM's Massachusetts project director, issued the following statement: "FAMM applauds the Senate for recognizing that mandatory minimum sentencing laws are standing in the way of sensible parole policies for nonviolent drug offenders. By allowing drug offenders to apply for parole, Massachusetts is providing a powerful incentive to prisoners to put their prison time to good use and prepare themselves for a successful, law-abiding return to their communities. Overly long prison sentences required by mandatory minimums undermine the deterrent effect of incarceration and waste millions of taxpayer dollars. Public safety remains our number one priority because the bill does not guarantee that anyone will be granted parole; the Parole Board will still make that decision."

The bill would allow prisoners convicted of certain drug offenses to apply for parole after they serve two-thirds of the minimum state sentence or for county prisoners, half of the sentence. The bill applies to those who are currently incarcerated, as well as those sentenced in the future. Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to ensure that the punishment fits the crime. In 2008, FAMM launched a project in Massachusetts to reform state mandatory minimum sentencing laws for drug and drug-free zone violations.

To read profiles on people serving mandatory minimum sentences in Massachusetts, or for more information on FAMM, visit www.famm.org.

SOURCE Families Against Mandatory Minimums

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http://www.famm.org