Ending “Life Without Parole” Sentencing (H 7191, S 2643)

Noting that “life without parole” sentencing robs incarcerated individuals of any rehabilitative hope, is a type of sentencing with a racially discriminatory impact, and is a wasteful use of public resources, we supported legislation which would have eliminated this criminal sentence in Rhode Island. Such legislation would have ensured that all individuals have the opportunity to come before the parole board for their determination of whether the state’s interest in public safety, rehabilitation, and retribution are met after decades of serving time in prison, and provide that no one is subject to a sentence that is potentially short-sighted and extremely cruel. Unfortunately, this legislation died in committee in both the House and the Senate.