The Massachusetts Parole Board has greenlit parole for these 39 convicts, previously sentenced to life without release, following a pivotal 2024 Supreme Judicial Court ruling in Commonwealth v. Mattis.
This decision reshapes the landscape for those labeled "emerging adults" at the time of their crimes. The court's ruling declared it unconstitutional to lock up 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds for life without a chance at parole. It argues their youth warrants a second look, a chance to prove they've changed.
Youth as a Legal Lifeline
This Mattis decision opened the door for parole hearings to scores once deemed irredeemable. Of the dozens reviewed recently, 39 earned release while a dozen remain confined.
Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz fired back, slamming the policy as a delayed escape hatch. He said it turns youth into an "eventual get-out-of-jail-free card," sidelining the raw pain of victims' families.
Cruz's critique cuts deep, questioning if public safety takes a backseat to legal theories about brain development. His words echo a broader unease that justice might tilt too far toward leniency.
Victims’ Pain Versus Rehabilitation Claims
The Parole Board defends its stance, asserting every case undergoes rigorous scrutiny for rehabilitation and readiness. A spokesperson stressed their aim to balance accountability with respect for survivors.
