House Minority Leader’s Statement on Governor Patrick’s Actions Relative to the Parole Board

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement today after hearing the actions Governor Patrick plans to take relative to the Parole Board.

I am pleased at the action the Governor announced relative to the Parole Board. He has finally come to the same conclusion many of us reached weeks ago. I am however disappointed it took this long and that the life of a police officer had to be taken in order for him to act.

Furthermore, it appears that the Governor’s planned legislation relative to habitual offenders falls short of “Melissa’s Bill.” Without having seen his legislation, it would appear that the most violent criminals would still have the possibility of being paroled. The fact is we can do better and we should do better.