MS SB2666

Allows juvenile offenders (under age 18 at time of crime) to be eligible for parole after serving 25% of sentences under 30 years, or 10 years for sentences of 30+ years or life imprisonment.

Requires State Parole Board to establish tentative parole hearing dates within 90 days of custody, using formula considering age at first commitment, prior incarcerations, probation/parole failures, offense severity, and employment history.

Mandates separate sentencing hearing before trial judge and jury for defendants under 18 convicted of capital murder to determine whether life without parole or life imprisonment is appropriate.

Requires jury to unanimously find aggravating circumstances, sufficient factors showing actual killing/intent, and insufficient mitigating circumstances (including consideration of juvenile immaturity and rehabilitation potential) before imposing life without parole.

Exempts juvenile offenders from standard parole restrictions in Mississippi Code Section 47-7-3 and establishes priority placement in educational and job training programs for inmates within 24 months of parole eligibility.