House Passes Serpa Bill to Require Murderers to Serve More Time before Parole

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill submitted by Rep. Patricia A. Serpa that would require convicted murderers to serve more time behind bars before parole eligibility.

The bill would require first- or second-degree murderers to serve at least half of their sentence before being eligible.

“This is a matter of public safety,” Serpa (D-Dist. 27, Coventry, West Warwick, Warwick). “By guaranteeing that convicted murderers serve at least half of their sentences before being eligible for parole, we’re doing our job of keeping hardened criminals off the streets. As legislators, we have a duty to the families of the victims.”

In addition to calling for first- and second-degree murderers not sentenced to life to serve 50 percent of their prison sentence, the bill will propose that individuals convicted of first- or second-degree murder who are sentenced to life will not be eligible for parole until serving at least 25 years of the life sentence. Similarly, a person sentenced to consecutive terms would be required to serve at least 25 years of each sentence before being eligible for parole.

The legislation also provided that no person sentenced to life for a crime other than first- or second-degree murder would be eligible for parole until serving at least 20 years of the sentence.

Finally, individuals sentenced to life for first- or second-degree murder and also convicted of escaping or attempting to escape from prison will not be considered for parole until serving at least 35 years in prison.

The bill mirrors legislation (2015-S 0132A) sponsored by Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) that passed the Senate on April 28. The legislation had also been introduced by Senator Raptakis during the 2014 legislative session. It was passed by the Senate but not acted upon when it was sent to the House of Representatives.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland), Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6 Providence, North Providence), Doreen Marie Costa (R-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter) and John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston).