ATLANTA – State Representative Derek Mallow (D-Savannah) recently introduced House Bill 1542, legislation which would eliminate the possibility of the death penalty or life without parole for inmates who were convicted as minors.
“The young men and women of Georgia are being prosecuted at the same level as adults within the state,” said Rep. Mallow. “Children are being sentenced to life sentences without a second thought. No one should have their life thrown away for a mistake they made when they were younger. The goal of this bill is to provide a chance for these individuals to serve their time and give them the possibility of rejoining their communities later down the road.”
House Bill 1542 would allow inmates convicted as minors to be considered for parole after serving certain lengths of time depending on their convictions. The parole board would be required to consider how a youthful offender is different from an adult offender and provide the inmate with a meaningful opportunity to be released on parole based on demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation. If the inmate is denied parole, the parole board must reconsider parole every three years.
For more information on HB 1542, please click here.
Representative Derek Mallow represents the citizens of District 163, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, State Planning & Community Affairs and Retirement committees.
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