220 West Exchange Street, Suite 007
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Telephone: 401-274-4940
Facsimile: 401-274-494

Date: February 28, 2017

To:Senate Judiciary Committee

RE: In Support of S- 0237. Correctional Institutions- Parole

The National Association of Social Workers- Rhode Island Chapter (NASW - RI) is in full support of S-0237. The “Parole” bill is an important step in continuing to work with youth, from a rehabilitation perspective, who were convicted prior to their 18thbirthday. NASW - RI, supports the elimination of the imposition of life sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of a capital offence in an adult court. We believe that people can change, and that youth are continuing to develop well into their late 20’s.

Statistics show that Juveniles most likely to be incarcerated with “Life Without Parole” had lived in our most needy communities, faced abuse at an early age and/or had significant educational challenges, putting them at a potentially much higher risk for making poor choices.

Studies Show:

  • “Juvenile Lifers” experience high levels of exposure to violence in their homes and communities
  • 79% of individuals reported witnessing violence in their homes;
  • More than half witnessed weekly violence in their neighborhoods.
  • “Juvenile Lifers”, particularly girls, suffered high rates of abuse
  • Nearly Half (46.9%) experiences physical abuse, including 79.5% of girls.
  • 77.3% of girls reported histories of sexual abuse; overall,20.5% of juvenile lifers report being victims of sexual abuse.
  • “Juvenile Lifers” generally experience significant social and economic disadvantage in their homes and communities.
  • “Juvenile Lifers” face significant educational challenges.
  • 61% juvenile lifers are not engaged in programming in prison, but this is generally not due to lack of interest, but because of state or prison policies.
  • Many juvenile lifers are engaged in constructive change during their incarceration when they are permitted the opportunity to do so.
  • Two-Thirds have attained a high school diploma or GED.
  • Despite long distances from home and family, many juvenile lifers attempt to maintain close ties with loved ones through phone calls, letters and visits.
  • As years in prison pass, lifers are charged with declining numbers of disciplinary actions.

Research has established that adolescent thinking is present-oriented and tends to either ignore or discount future outcomes and implications.To the extent that adolescents do consider the implications of their acts, they emphasize short-term consequences, perceiving and weighing longer-term consequences to a lesser degree. In essence, generally during this development phase many youth are not wired to; “Look before they Leap!”Add to this generality that most of us experience, the above mentionedrisk factors; we have a huge super risk groupfor making some poor choices at a very young phase of life.

In our opinion, the sentence of life without parole for children innately contradicts our society’s initial goal of incarceration, that imprisonment should promote rehabilitation. The sentence reflects a determination that there is nothing that can be done to render the child a fit member of society. It is a sentence of permanent banishment—not an expression of faith that hard work and time can promote positive change. Indeed, the sentence tells child offenders that U.S. society rejects out of hand any hope they may have to atone for their crimes and improve their lives. Through research two-thirds of juveniles incarcerated without parole get a High School Diploma, and continue to have close ties with their families, as well as continue to work on themselves if policies are in place to allow this growth.

There are many evidence-based interventions that have been shown to be more effective in preventing re-offenses than lifelong incarceration. MultiSystemic Therapy (MST), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), andMultidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC), have been well developed and implemented with otherresearch-supported interventions to help support our youth by involving parents and families in treatment, to allow for a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Respectfully Submitted,

Esther Robbins, MSW Representative*

NASW - RI

*Esther Robbins is a MSW Student Intern at NASW-RI. This testimony has been edited, reviewed and approved by Rick Harris, LICSW – Executive Director who is solely responsible for this testimony it’s content.