Missouri would require hearings for people imprisoned as young adults

The parole board would grant a hearing when an eligible person petitions for one. The person must have been 18–21 both when the offense occurred and when committed to Missouri’s prison department, with a sentence of at least 25 years. The person must be serving their first commitment to Missouri’s prison department and must not have a death sentence. A prison parole officer would investigate rehabilitation. The person must complete the officer’s recommendations unless the board accepts a good-faith effort to complete them. The board would review the petition within 30 days of receipt. If properly filed, it would send written notice explaining its decision within six months of receipt.

The parole board would notify victims or their families and allow them to attend and speak at the hearing. Victims or their families could submit information before or during the hearing. Notices would explain participation rights and available support resources. Victims or their families could stop future notices by asking in writing. If their current address is unknown, the board would ask the local prosecutor for help finding them. The board would send written notice at least 12 months before the parole hearing.

The parole board would consider the person’s reduced responsibility as a young adult, later growth, maturity, and psychological evaluation. The person could speak at the hearing and would have to attend unless health problems prevent it. Hearings would be closed to the public. The board would have to deny parole if it finds a substantial risk of breaking reasonable parole conditions or insufficient evidence of rehabilitation. Unless parole is denied, the person would have to attend a program preparing them for life outside prison at least nine months before release. Program shortages could not delay release. A written denial explaining the decision would be due within 30 days. A second hearing would be available three years after the written denial; later hearings would be available five years after each written denial.

The proposal would link the end of remaining prison terms to specified periods of supervised parole. The stated periods are three years for nonviolent offenses, five years for violent offenses, and ten years for life sentences, including life without parole. These provisions would apply unless the board denies parole under the proposal’s decision rules. Required supervised release could not exceed the sentence imposed by the court. The proposal would preserve earlier release consideration and other relief available through the courts.