“Para enmendar el inciso (a) del Artículo 3 de la Ley Núm.115 de 22 de julio 1974, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley Orgánica de la Junta de Libertad Bajo Palabra”, a los fines de eliminar el requisito de haber saldado las penas especiales para ser elegible a recibir el beneficio de libertad bajo palabra y de establecer un plan de pago a aquellas personas a quienes se les otorgue el beneficio de libertad bajo palabra pero acarrean deudas por concepto de penas especiales; enmendar el Artículo 11 y 12 del Plan de Reorganización Núm. 8 de 2011, según enmendado, conocido como Plan de Reorganización del Departamento de Corrección y Rehabilitación de 2011, a los fines de prohibir el que se le prive a un miembro de la población correccional de las rebajas en términos de sentencias, bonificaciones y del acceso a los métodos de bonificaciones por razón de acarrear deudas por concepto de penas especiales; y para otros fines.”

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill removes requirement to pay special fines before parole eligibility and establishes payment plans for parolees with outstanding financial penalties.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 368 proposes to amend Puerto Rico's parole law (Law 115 of 1974) to eliminate the requirement that individuals must pay special fines before becoming eligible for parole. It also establishes a payment plan system for parolees with outstanding special fine debts and prohibits the Department of Correction from denying sentence reductions and bonifications to incarcerated individuals based on unpaid special fines.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects thousands of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Puerto Rico's correctional system. By decoupling parole eligibility and sentence reduction incentives from financial penalties, it could accelerate release timelines for lower-income defendants who cannot afford special fines, while addressing systemic barriers to rehabilitation and reintegration that disproportionately impact economically disadvantaged populations.

Potential points of contention

Fiscal impact on special fines collection: Eliminating the fine requirement as a condition for parole may reduce government revenue from special penalties, raising questions about how this loss would affect the justice system's funding.

Public safety concerns: Opponents may argue that removing financial incentives for compliance weakens deterrence and makes it harder to ensure offenders meet restitution obligations to victims or the state.

Implementation of payment plans: The feasibility and enforceability of payment plans for parolees with limited employment prospects and income presents practical administrative challenges.