(Image Credit: IMAGN) A prisoner looks out of his cell at the Franklin County Jail in downtown Columbus on Friday, February 17, 2017
Sacramento, California – A bill co-authored by State Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) and sponsored by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has passed the state Senate Public Safety Committee. The bill, known as Senate Bill 286, aims to prevent individuals convicted of violent sex offenses from being granted parole under the state’s elderly parole program.
The bill was introduced in response to concerns over a loophole in the existing parole system that allowed violent sex offenders to be considered for early release once they turned 50, after serving at least 20 years of their sentence. Previously, the eligibility age for elderly parole was set at 60, but a law change lowered the threshold to 50. Jones and other supporters argue that this change has led to violent offenders being released early, including those convicted of serious crimes like rape and child molestation.
SB 286, also referred to as “Mary-Bella’s Law,” seeks to close this loophole and ensure that violent sex offenders serve their full sentences, regardless of their age. The bill was named in honor of two victims, Mary and Bella, whose cases highlight the risks posed by the elderly parole program.
“The elderly parole program was meant to apply to individuals who had rehabilitated and posed little threat to society,” Jones said during a news conference outside the California State Capitol. “Instead, it has created a dangerous loophole that allows violent rapists and child molesters to walk free after serving just 20 years, regardless of the severity of their crimes. SB 286 fixes this problem and puts the safety of Californians first.”
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan echoed these concerns, noting that in recent years, individuals convicted of horrific crimes, such as kidnapping and raping multiple women, had qualified for elderly parole under the age change. One man, convicted of kidnapping and raping two women, was eligible for parole despite a sentence of 567 years to life, while another man who raped seven women in the 1990s, was sentenced to 96 years but was also considered for release. Both men were ultimately denied parole.
Stephan criticized the law change that lowered the age threshold for elderly parole, saying, “Victims of horrific crimes like rape and child molestation should not have to fight for justice years after their perpetrators have served a fraction of their sentence. The change that lowered the age for elderly parole ignored victims’ rights and created a dangerous precedent.”
The bill’s unanimous approval by the Senate Public Safety Committee marks a significant step in its journey through the legislative process. If enacted, SB 286 would ensure that violent sex offenders remain in prison for the full duration of their sentences, regardless of their age.
Jones and other supporters argue that this is a necessary reform to protect the public and prioritize the safety of Californians. “This bill helps ensure that the most violent sex offenders are not given a ‘get out of jail free card’ simply because they’ve reached the age of 50,” Jones added.
