Make Us Safer.
Restore Parole.
OVER FORTY-FIVE YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE.
In 1976, Maine became the first state to abolish discretionary parole, eliminating a crucial tool proven to incentivize rehabilitation and improve public safety. The vast majority of people incarcerated in Maine have no opportunity for meaningful review.
Restoring parole is common sense. Our bill allows any incarcerated person to become eligible for consideration of parole after ⅓ of their sentence. This process involves having their rehabilitative status reviewed by the parole board for potential release under a period of community supervision. People on parole have regular check-ins with a parole officer as well as stipulated rules to follow until the end of their sentence.
Compared to straight release systems, parole makes communities safer. Nationwide, the recidivism rate for those on parole is far lower than for those released after completing their full sentence in a secure facility.
MAINE HAS AN INCARCERATION PROBLEM.
SOURCE: Prison Policy Initiative
NO MATTER YOUR POLITICS, HERE’S WHY TO SUPPORT PAROLE:
Parole incentivizes rehabilitation and improves re-entry.
Parole is the best transition back into the community. By promoting engagement in programming, professional development, and reentry planning, the process promotes rehabilitation and provides opportunities to contribute to the community. Parole means fewer people, including families and children, are damaged by the long-term effects of imprisonment.
Parole improves public safety.
Parole mandates DOC supervision following release. Parole would not be granted to anyone who represents a risk to the community: proof of rehabilitation is required.
Parole saves taxpayer $$$ and boosts the economy.
It is 9 times more expensive to incarcerate someone than to supervise them on parole. Experts estimate a $14.7M boost to Maine’s economy for every 100 people granted parole.
PAROLE FAST FACTS
91% of people across political parties believe the criminal legal system is broken and needs reform.
1/5
AMOUNT OF MAINE’S PRISON RESIDENTS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50
3–9x
COST OF INCARCERATING AN ELDERLY PERSON COMPARED TO A YOUNG PERSON
9:1
BLACK/WHITE RACIAL DISPARITY OF ADULT PRISON RESIDENTS
2:1
NATIONAL MARGIN OF CRIME SURVIVORS WHO WANT REHABILITATION OVER PUNISHMENT
100 PAROLED WORKERS WOULD INCREASE MAINE’S ANNUAL STATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY BY AN ESTIMATED $14,700,000.
$78,000
COST TO TAXPAYERS PER YEAR TO INCARCERATE ONE PERSON MAINE
$3,900,000
COST TO INCARCERATE ONE 18 YEAR-OLD WITH A LIFE SENTENCE
bring back parole
CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR + REPRESENTATIVE