The 2009 Parole Act provides for a parole system in the Virgin Islands, with a board charged with making recommendations to the governor on the early release of prisoners. And, according to a proclamation issued by Governor Boyd McCleary on Sept. 16 and published in the Gazette last week, that law has now “come into force.”
Under the law, prisoners can be considered for parole after serving two thirds of their initial sentences. When prisoners are given life sentences, sentencing judges are instructed by the law to specify whether parole is a possibility, and after how many years imprisonment it is to be considered.
Prisoners serving life sentences issued before the parole system was instituted are eligible to apply to the High Court for a decision on if and when they should be eligible for parole.
See the Oct. 20, 2011 edition for full coverage.