California

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John Norton, 202-999-4268
jnorton@famm.org

FAMM releases statement on introduction of bill to change California’s Youth Offender Parole law

SACRAMENTO –  FAMM’s Deputy Director of Policy Daniel Landsman issued the following statement after Assemblymember Tina McKinnor introduced a bill that would update California’s youth offender parole requirements.

Under the proposed change, people given indeterminate life sentences for offenses they committed under the age of 26 would receive the opportunity for parole during their 15th year of incarceration. The current law allows for the opportunity on either the 20th or 25th year of incarceration, depending on their sentence.

“Study after study shows that not only do people age out of crime, but also that severe sentences do not deter criminal behavior,” said Landsman. “Long sentences aren’t making Californians any safer, and this bill would offer a vital opportunity for second chances for people who have already served significant sentences.”

FAMM’s Second Chances Agenda seeks to create as many mechanisms as possible to give people second chances, reunite families, and reduce mass incarceration.

For more than three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM has led the fight to reform extreme mandatory sentencing laws and to promote rehabilitation and dignity for all people in prison, 94 percent of whom will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.