Impact of Marsy's Law on Parole in California: An Empirical Study (Updated)

Abstract

Marsy’s Law (Proposition 9) purported to increase Victims’ Rights by making significant changes to parole in California. Supporters of Marsy’s Law intended to decrease lifer inmate’s “chances” to obtain parole by statutorily lengthening the amount of time between parole hearings, and to increase victim presence at parole hearings by creating greater opportunities for victim participation.

I conducted an analysis of 211 randomly selected parole hearing transcripts in California both before and after Marsy’s Law was implemented. I found that the passage of Marsy’s Law nearly doubled the amount of time set by the Parole Board between parole hearings and has increased victim participation.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Midwestern Political Science Association Conference in Chicago

Keywords: Parole, California, Lifers, Empirical, Proposition 9, Marsy's Law, Victim's Rights