PAROLE-OFFENSE UNDER 21

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that at least 9 (rather than 6) members appointed to the Prisoner Review Board must have had at least 5 (rather than 3) years' experience in the field of juvenile matters including a post-graduate degree and a demonstrated competency in the field of adolescent development. Provides that no more than 3 members qualified in the field of juvenile matters may use their experience in law enforcement, the prosecution of juveniles, corrections, or their prior experience as a member of the Board prior to the effective date of the amendatory Act, towards their 5 years of actual experience in the field of juvenile matters. Provides that a person under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of a non-homicide offense or offenses, and who is not serving a sentence for a homicide offense, shall be eligible for parole review by the Prisoner Review Board after serving 10 years or more of his or her sentence. Provides that a person under 21 years of age at the time of the commission of a homicide offense or offenses shall be eligible for parole review by the Prisoner Review Board after serving 20 years or more of his or her sentence. Provides that 3 years prior to becoming eligible for parole review, the eligible person may file his or her petition for parole review with the Prisoner Review Board. Provides that the eligible person has a right to be physically present at the Prisoner Review Board hearing. Provides that the eligible person and his or her counsel have a right to present written documents and oral testimony at the Prisoner Review Board hearing. Provides that, unless denied parole, the eligible person shall be released on parole which shall operate to discharge the remaining term of years or natural life sentence imposed upon him or her, notwithstanding any required mandatory supervised release period the eligible person is required to serve.