Prohibiting Life Without Parole for Youth (H 7132, S 2719)

We noted our strong support for this legislation, which would follow up on the General Assembly’s actions in 2021 with the passage of “Mario’s Law,” giving youthful offenders under the age of 22 with long prison sentences the opportunity to apply for parole after 20 years. Unfortunately, that law exempted individuals who had been sentenced to life without parole (LWOP). This bill would address that omission by banning the imposition of LWOP sentences on any individual under 21 years of age.

However, we believe that one amendment to the bill is essential. As worded, it would not appear to cover the handful of individuals presently incarcerated at the ACI who are serving LWOP sentences for offenses committed when they were under 21. As with Mario’s Law, it is critical that the law be applied retrospectively. It is irrational to recognize the cruelty of an LWOP sentence for the future but not the past. We therefore urge an amendment to address this oversight.