CA Halts Early Release Of Some Elderly Inmates Convicted Of Serious Sexual Offenses

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that significantly tightens parole requirements and screening protocols for elderly sex offender inmates.

Assembly Bill 2727, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), reforms California's Elderly Parole Program, which previously allowed inmates aged 50 or older who had served at least 20 years of continuous incarceration to be considered for release.

Under the new law, people convicted of specific severe sexual offenses, such as rape, sodomy, or aggravated sexual assault of a child, are ineligible for the program unless they reach 65 years of age and have served a minimum of 25 years of continuous incarceration.

Newsom signed the legislation Sept. 30. The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

With AB 2727 in the books, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will be required to recalculate parole eligibility dates and cancel previously scheduled hearings that relied on the old thresholds.

Beyond raising the bar for elderly parole in sex offense cases, AB 2727 introduces rigorous safety guardrails:

• Risk Screenings: Requires the Board of Parole Hearings to review a comprehensive sexual dangerousness screening conducted by a licensed psychologist before considering parole for inmates serving indeterminate sentences (i.e. "25 years to life") for sexually violent offenses.
• Mandatory Referrals: Directs the board or the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to immediately refer parole-granted individuals who show signs of sexual dangerousness to the State Department of State Hospitals for evaluation as potential sexually violent predators.
• Commissioner Training: Mandates that all parole commissioners and deputy commissioners undergo specialized annual training provided by the Department of State Hospitals regarding sex offender behaviors, risks, and treatment considerations.

"This bill is about making sure we get it right in the most serious cases,” Nguyen said earlier this year after introducing the legislation. “When we are talking about crimes involving children and multiple victims, the impact is lifelong. We have a responsibility to make sure these decisions are being made carefully and consistently, with public safety at the forefront.”

The new state law received bipartisan support, including praise from some district attorney's offices.

"The pain of victims of sexual offenses continues well after their perpetrator is convicted and incarcerated," said Riverside County Chief Deputy District Attorney Ivy Fitzpatrick. "AB 2727 reflects that reality and acts as a safeguard for Californians."

The Riverside County DA's office said it backed the measure to prevent the premature release of high-risk offenders, close potential loopholes, and ensure that parole eligibility strictly aligns with crime severity and ongoing community safety risks.