Rhode Island legislation offers parole review for crimes committed before age 22, acknowledging brain development and capacity for change
Enacted in July 2021, Mario’s Law allows individuals who committed offenses before their 22nd birthday to be eligible for parole review after serving 20 years. The law applies retroactively to offenses committed on or after January 1, 1991, and excludes only those serving life without parole.
Championed by Representative Julie Casimiro and inspired by Mario Monteiro’s own experience, the law is grounded in neuroscience showing that the prefrontal cortex—responsible for impulse control and judgment—doesn’t fully develop until around age 25. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the law is expected to impact around 40 individuals in Rhode Island, offering them a pathway to redemption and reintegration.
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