Church, lawmakers call for reforms to criminal sentencing of youth

By Lauren Clem, Staff Reporter, RI Catholic

PROVIDENCE — Both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees recently heard testimony regarding proposed legislation aimed at reforming the sentencing of individuals for crimes committed during their youth. Senate bill 2846, sponsored by Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Providence), and House bill 7676, sponsored by Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Providence), seek to eliminate life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders by permitting parole eligibility after 15 years served for an offense committed during youth. More.