Lucy Soto-Abbe discussed her appointment to the state parole board. She has come under some criticism for being too tough on criminals.
MA Parole Board from WGBY on Vimeo.
Lucy Soto-Abbe discussed her appointment to the state parole board Wednesday on WGBY's Connecting Point.
Soto-Abbe has come under some criticism from the Governor's Council for her 17 years of Crime Victims & Witness Advocacy for the Hampden District Attorney’s office, with one member questioning whether her past experience might make her too tough on criminals up for parole.
Soto-Abbe recognizes this concern, but says, "Even though I'm empathetic and I feel for victim rights, I do believe in second chances and I do believe in parole, and I think parole is a good idea for people when they want to transition back into society."
She goes on to explain that having someone with a background in victim advocacy is a good thing for the board, claiming it gives them confidence that there is someone on the board who can relate to the impact crimes have on victims.
She admits that she can be tough, but that it is only because she is applying the legal standard equally to all cases.
Connecting Point airs weeknights at 7:30 on WGBY.