Letter to Rhode Island Lawmakers in Support of Parole Board Membership Reform
Proposed legislation would require at least one member of the state parole board be directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
Related to: Sentencing Reform, State Advocacy
Senior Director of Advocacy Nicole D. Porter submitted a letter on behalf of The Sentencing Project to Rhode Island’s House Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill 5180, which proposes a reform to the composition of the state’s parole board.
H5180, introduced as the House companion to Senate Bill 292, enhances justice and representation by requiring that at least one member of the Parole Board be a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system—specifically, someone who has completed probation or parole at least three years before their appointment. This individual would also bring professional experience in critical fields such as psychology, mental health, and/or substance use treatment, transitional housing, reentry support, education, or law.
Read the full letter here.
