120 CMR 200.10
Early Consideration of Parole Release
(1) House of Correction. For compelling reasons, a parole hearing panel may release a house
of correction inmate up to 60 days earlier than his or her parole eligibility date. For compelling
reasons, the full Board may release a house of correction inmate more than 60 days from his or
her parole eligibility date.
(2) State Prison. An inmate serving a state prison sentence is not eligible for early
consideration of parole release, unless the inmate is serving a sentence for an offense committed
before July 1, 1994 and the state sentence carries a b parole eligibility. An inmate serving a
state prison sentence with a a parole eligibility may not petition for early consideration. An
inmate serving a b sentence shall serve a of his or her sentence before he or she is eligible for
early consideration. To petition for early consideration, an eligible state inmate shall present his
or her petition to the Department of Correction.
(3) The Parole Board may consider advancing the parole eligibility of an inmate based on its
own review of a case or review of an inmate petition. An inmate filing a petition shall include
with specificity the reason for his or her request for early consideration. A petition shall be given
more weight when the inmate includes proof of his or her basis for the early consideration
request.
(4) A compelling reason for granting early consideration includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
(a) serious medical or physical condition;
(b) exceptional achievement in a rehabilitative program;
(c) acceptance into a community rehabilitative program;
(d) any other reason that the Parole Board determines is sufficiently compelling to warrant
early consideration for parole release.
(5) A majority vote by the panel or full Board shall be required to grant early consideration.
(6) The Parole Board shall provide written notice of the early consideration request hearing to
the sentencing judge, Office of the District Attorney that prosecuted the governing offense(s),
and the victim(s) of the governing offenses, as registered by the Department of Criminal Justice
Information Services.