Teen And Young Adult Offenders Could Gain Early Parole Eligibility Under Bill Passed By Senate Tuesday

by Donald Eng CTNewsJunkie

HARTFORD, CT — More people who committed crimes as teens and young adults could be eligible for early release under legislation that passed the Senate Tuesday on a 24-12 vote, mostly along party lines. Democratic Sen. Joan Hartley of Waterbury was the lone Democrat to vote with the Republicans.

Senate Bill 503 broadens the parole eligibility for those serving sentences of 10 years or more for crimes they committed while under age 26 – a change from the current limit of age 21. Those applying for parole would have to serve the greater of 12 years or 60% of their sentence.

FILE PHOTO — State Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, listens to a question during debate on a firearms industry bill on May 29, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie

“The bill … continues the conversation that we’ve been having about the way young folks’ brains work,” said Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven. “The science that we often talk about is not whether they can make a decision or not, but impulse control and their ability to make decisions in certain high-stress, high-intensity situations.”

During the two-and-a-half hour debate, Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, described the proposal as “one of, if not the scariest bill that is before us this session.”

Kissel said for many decisions, including signing contracts, voting and others, age 18 is considered old enough to be considered an adult. 

FILE PHOTO — State Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, watches the debate on the state budget on June 3, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie

He added that for several years he had worked as a special public defender, and declared that it is “hard to go to prison in Connecticut” due to the number of diversionary programs and that those sent to prison had likely committed heinous crimes.

A series of Republican amendments, primarily aimed at restoring the age-21 cutoff, failed on mostly party-line votes.

Before advancing the bill, the Judiciary Committee received testimony from about 600 people, mostly in support. State Rep. Kadeem Roberts, D-Norwalk, led a coalition of supporters speaking out in favor of the legislation.

Kathryn Thomas, a licensed clinical psychologist and attorney, said research hadshown that people’s brains continue to develop and mature until the mid-to-late-20s, in ways that are important to decision making and impulse control.

“As a result, youth and young adults are more likely to engage in risky, impulsive behavior and are more susceptible to negative peer influence,” Thomas said. “Rates of risky behaviors, including criminal behavior, tend to peak in late adolescence and decline significantly through the 20s as the brain finishes developing.”

Longitudinal studies indicate that most adolescents will age out of criminal behavior, and will not continue to commit crimes as adults, she said.

Advocates said early parole eligibility changes would allow a second look after brain development has progressed, and would allow parole decisions based on who a person is now, rather than who they were at 18 or 21.

Republican state Rep. Craig Fishbein of Wallingford, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said the proposal was an example of Democrats pandering to the party’s far left wing.

“It’s unconscionable, but not unexpected, and I look forward to a robust public debate on this issue,” he said.

Roberts said the proposal was not an example of being soft on crime.

“It’s about being smart on justice,” he said. “Rehabilitation has proven to reduce recidivism. People who are given opportunities to grow are less likely to reoffend and more likely to become contributing members of our community.”

The bill now moves to the state House, which has until next Wednesday to act on it.