The Illinois Senate’s minority leader, John Curran, has proposed legislation to overhaul the Democrat’s Prisoner Review Board following a tragic incident where a convicted domestic abuser was released and went on to attack a pregnant woman and fatally stab her 11-year-old son. Curran’s legislation includes requirements for appointees to have 20 years of criminal justice experience and undergo annual training on domestic violence and sexual assault. The proposed measures also aim to provide advance notice to victims of the board’s decision to release perpetrators and increase transparency in the board’s deliberations.
Governor J.B. Pritzker has acknowledged that the parole board did not adequately consider evidence when releasing the convicted abuser, Crosetti Brand, who went on to commit the violent attack. The incident led to the resignation of a board member who conducted Brand’s release hearing, as well as the board’s chairperson. In response to the criticism, Pritzker announced changes requiring the board to consult experts to develop training on domestic abuse and improve the sharing of information with the Department of Corrections.
Curran and his colleagues have raised concerns about the lack of qualifications of some of the governor’s appointees to the board, emphasizing the need for a qualified and experienced board to make critical decisions regarding prisoner releases. Brand and the victim, Laterria Smith, had a past relationship, and Brand was paroled after serving eight years for a previous attack on an ex-partner. Despite a previous incident involving Smith, Brand was not prevented from seeking release, highlighting the need for better communication between agencies involved in the process.
The proposed legislation by Curran aims to address the systemic issues within the Prisoner Review Board and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. While there are concerns about whether Senate Democrats will support the measures, Curran and his colleagues are urging their counterparts to take action and ensure that qualified individuals are appointed to the board. The focus is on prioritizing the safety of victims and preventing dangerous individuals from being released without proper consideration of the risks they pose.
The tragic incident involving the release of Crosetti Brand has shed light on the shortcomings of the current system and the need for reforms to better protect victims of domestic violence and prevent further harm. The proposed legislation by Curran and his colleagues aims to bring much-needed changes to the board’s appointment process and decision-making procedures to ensure that only qualified individuals are responsible for making critical decisions about parole and release. The focus is on accountability, transparency, and prioritizing the safety and well-being of victims in the criminal justice system.
