To: President Donald Trump, The Texas State Senate, Governor Greg Abbott, and The United States Senate

Mandatory Short-Way Release for All First Time Offenders

Retroactive legislation should be passed which provides a MANDATORY SHORT-WAY for ALL FIRST TIME OFFENDERS with satisfactory disciplinary records which reflect an effort at rehabilitation.

Identical retroactive legislation should be passed for all YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS (those between the ages of 13 to 25 at the time of the commission of their offenses).

Why is this important?

Why? Because first-time offenders should not be held to the same stringent parole eligibility requirements as repeat and habitual offenders. Also, a lack of maturity and under developed sense of responsibility are found in youth more often than in adults and are more understandable among the young. These qualities often result in impetuous and ill-considered actions and decisions. Essentially, both categories of offenders (the first-timers and youthful) deserve less punishment.