About
“When my brothers try to draw a circle to exclude me, I shall draw a larger circle to include them. Where they speak out for the privileges of a puny group, I shall shout for the rights of all mankind.”
— Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray
an act to end lifetime parole
for juveniles & emerging adults
Senator Eldridge, Representative Worrell, and Representative Fluker-Reid
The individuals below are Transformational Youths—individuals who were convicted for loss of life crimes committed between the ages of 14-21 and were originally sentenced to die in prison and served a minimum of 15 years.
Under the Miller v. Alabama (2012) ruling, it was ruled unconstitutional for individuals under 18 to be sentenced to life without parole affecting the lives of over 2,000 people.
Commonwealth v. Mattis (2020) extended youth sentencing protections to people up to age 21, citing neuroscience that 18–20-year-olds, emerging adults, are developmentally similar to adolescents, and requiring parole eligibility for life sentences in this age group.
Although released, these individuals are expected to be on parole for the rest of their lives. Does this mean they are truly free?
Click below to hear directly from them how it feels to be on lifetime parole.
● Overview
bill information—
Although sentencing juveniles to life without parole is unconstitutional, Transformational Youth (TYs), or people incarcerated between the age of 14-21 who are released after a minimum of 15 years in prison, remain on parole for life–dying under supervision. This must change.
California has already abolished mandatory lifetime parole for TYs. In 2020 California passed SB 118 which not only banned lifetime parole for TYs but also capped the total number of years on parole at 3 years.
4-Week
Sessions
Start June 15
"An Act to End Lifetime Parole for Juveniles and Emerging Adults" addresses the problem by terminating parole for TYs after 3 years, provided they do not violate the law during this period. This legislation acknowledges past harm while recognizing the capacity for growth and reintegration. By ending lifetime parole, it replaces perpetual punishment with accountability, reconciliation, and the opportunity to rebuild lives, affirming that healing is key to true justice.
Currently, over 230 Transformational Youths are on parole in Massachusetts, living under constant supervision. It costs Massachusetts $6,800 per year to supervise a parolee. A sum total of approximately $1,564,000 a year for all 230 TYs on parole, where the Massachusetts Parole Board already deemed them not a threat/danger to society. If all 230 TYs have a life expectancy of 20 years after being paroled, the commonwealth will invest over 31 million dollars after investing millions into their incarceration.
The bill.
Is supported by extensive scientific research and Massachusetts case law showing the brains of juveniles and emerging adults are not fully formed and they are not as culpable as adults at the time of the offense.
Applies to TYs, defined as individuals who were between the ages of 14 and 21 when they were convicted of loss of life offenses and were incarcerated for at least 15 years.
lifetime parole does more harm than good.
Parole does not significantly reduce crime.
Studies show that TYs “age out” of crime in their mid to late 20s and TYs are not eligible for parole until at least their 30s, more often their 40s or 50s, making lifetime parole for TYs superflupus.
Applies retroactively to ensure a fair and rehabilitative approach for these individuals while also maintaining public safety.
Reduces the caseload of the Parole Board and parole officers, saving the State resources and allowing parole officers more time to focus on parolees who are at high risk.
The vast majority of TYs are trauma survivors themselves, having experienced violent and abusive childhoods, and have worked to repair the harm that was done to them and others.
benefits.
It is a violation of parole not to report a minor interaction with law enforcement to your parole officer, even where you are just a witness or a bystander.
89% of parole violations that lead to reincarceration are technical violations, like coming home late, disagreeing with your parole officer, failing a drug or alcohol test or leaving your city or state without permission.
● policy team
Meet the coordinators—
Hamza Berrios
policy & advocacy coordinator 
suzanne blasi
volunteer policy & advocacy coordinator
paul bamberger
volunteer policy & advocacy coordinator
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transformative Youths are defined as individuals who were between the ages of 14 and 21 when they were convicted of loss of life offenses and were incarcerated for at least 15 years.
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A person who is under supervision after serving 15+ years in prisons for the remainder of their lives. A parolee must comply with:
1. LIVING WITHIN THE LAW AND COMPLYING WITH ALL PAROLE CONDITIONS
2. LIVING AS A GOOD AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN
3. I WILL MAKE EARNEST EFFORTS TO FIND AND MAINTAIN LEGITIMATE EMPLOYMENT UNLESS ENGAGED IN SOME OTHER PROGRAM APPROVED BY MY PAROLE OFFICER.
4.After serving 15+ years in prisons, TYs are expected to be under supervision for the 5.remainder of their lives. Supervision includes:
6.drug screening
7.curfew
8.GPS monitoring
9. refraining from people with criminal records
10. Do not leave the state
11.special conditions
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Any person who was under the age of 21 years old at the time of their offense, and after being paroled. Once paroled and successfully completed 3 years of supervision then their parole will be terminated.
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An Act to End Lifetime Parole for Juveniles/Emerging Adults is important for Massachusetts because it saves state funding from bad investments.Whereas a fraction of the state funding could be redirected to communities, schools, or healthcare, this could also help reduce racial and socioeconomic inequalities perpetuated by lifetime parole. By reallocating these funds to underserved communities, we can foster opportunities and contribute to social equity.. Furthermore, S. 1087/H. 2051 will support healthy, positive reentry and sustainable life choices, such as purchasing a home, becoming a business owner, or building a family.
bill documents:
official bill document.
01
a breakdown of our research findings and evidence.
02
a one pager of quick facts about our bill.