Pass a retroactive second chance law in Missouri for Offenses Committed at 25 or Younger
The Issue
Currently, Missouri Revised Statute 558.047 provides limited sentence review opportunities for certain individuals who committed offenses before turning 18. Meanwhile, Missouri Revised Statute 558.019 requires individuals convicted of dangerous felonies to serve 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole, subject to statutory exceptions.
We are calling on Missouri lawmakers to introduce a Retroactive Youthful Offender Second Chance Act, modeled after California Penal Code Section 3051.
We are requesting the following changes:
1.Expand Missouri Revised Statute 558.047 to include individuals who committed offenses at age 25 or younger.
2.Make the new law fully RETROACTIVE, allowing people already incarcerated to qualify regardless of when they were convicted or sentenced.
3.Establish meaningful parole review after 15, 20, or 25 years of incarceration, depending on the sentence imposed.
4.Include individuals serving life sentences and lengthy sentences under Missouri's 85% rule by amending Section 558.019 and other conflicting parole restrictions.
5.Require the Missouri Parole Board to consider rehabilitation, maturity, age at the time of the offense, institutional conduct, and public safety.
6.Provide eligible individuals with continued opportunities for parole consideration if their initial request is denied.
This legislation would not guarantee automatic release. It would provide an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate rehabilitation and earn meaningful consideration for parole. California has already established a youthful offender parole system for many individuals who committed offenses at age 25 or younger. Missouri should consider similar protections while ensuring people already serving sentences are not left behind. A second chance should not depend on the year someone was sentenced.
We urge the Missouri General Assembly and Governor Mike Kehoe to support and enact retroactive youthful offender parole reform.
Sign this petition to support fair sentencing, rehabilitation, and second chances in Missouri.
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The Issue
Currently, Missouri Revised Statute 558.047 provides limited sentence review opportunities for certain individuals who committed offenses before turning 18. Meanwhile, Missouri Revised Statute 558.019 requires individuals convicted of dangerous felonies to serve 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole, subject to statutory exceptions.
We are calling on Missouri lawmakers to introduce a Retroactive Youthful Offender Second Chance Act, modeled after California Penal Code Section 3051.
We are requesting the following changes:
1.Expand Missouri Revised Statute 558.047 to include individuals who committed offenses at age 25 or younger.
2.Make the new law fully RETROACTIVE, allowing people already incarcerated to qualify regardless of when they were convicted or sentenced.
3.Establish meaningful parole review after 15, 20, or 25 years of incarceration, depending on the sentence imposed.
4.Include individuals serving life sentences and lengthy sentences under Missouri's 85% rule by amending Section 558.019 and other conflicting parole restrictions.
5.Require the Missouri Parole Board to consider rehabilitation, maturity, age at the time of the offense, institutional conduct, and public safety.
6.Provide eligible individuals with continued opportunities for parole consideration if their initial request is denied.
This legislation would not guarantee automatic release. It would provide an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate rehabilitation and earn meaningful consideration for parole. California has already established a youthful offender parole system for many individuals who committed offenses at age 25 or younger. Missouri should consider similar protections while ensuring people already serving sentences are not left behind. A second chance should not depend on the year someone was sentenced.
We urge the Missouri General Assembly and Governor Mike Kehoe to support and enact retroactive youthful offender parole reform.
Sign this petition to support fair sentencing, rehabilitation, and second chances in Missouri.
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Petition created on October 14, 2026