Bill Gives Elderly Prisoners a Chance at Parole

Bill Gives Elderly Prisoners a Chance at Parole
Tegan Wendland, WRKF; LRN

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill by Baton Rouge Rep. Patricia Smith giving inmates over the age of 60 an opportunity to apply for a parole hearing.

Angola Warden Burl Cain says the purpose of the bill is to give elderly non-violent prisoners a chance at parole in order to make room for inmates who have been convicted of more violent crimes.

Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says she’s concerned about the safety of the public. But Burl says he’s confident in the parole board, and they wouldn’t release any prisoner who could potentially be a danger.

He says, of the 72 inmates at Angola over the age of 60, only 10 meet all the criteria to gain a hearing under the conditions set up under the bill.

The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.