Politics & Government

Government Legislators Support Bill to Keep Repeat Offenders Behind Bars

State Representatives Jay Barrows and Betty Poirier support Melissa's Bill.

State Rep. Jay Barrows (R-Mansfield)along with several state representatives voted in favor to pass a bill that would keep repeat offenders in jail. 

House Bill 3811, referred to as Melissa's Bill, was filed in 2000 in memory of Melissa Gosule, a teacher who was murdered by a repeat offender who served less than two years in prison for a total of 27 convictions.

House Republicans offered several amendments to the bill incluidng mandatory written notification of parole hearings to the Attorney General, District Attorney, local Chief of Police, and the victim for someone who has been convicted of a violent crime who has served more than five years in prison; and a requirement that parole for life sentences can only be granted by a 2/3 vote by the parole board.

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The legislation will now be sent to Conference Committee.

Rep. Barrows stated, “The debate on this bill was very moving, and I was very happy to have the opportunity to vote in favor of this important piece of legislation. Now families across the Commonwealth, like the Gosule’s and the McGuire’s can rest assured that public safety is a priority in Massachusetts.”

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Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk) and Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) joined lead sponsor Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich), House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and the entire House Republican Caucus in supporting the legislation.


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