Q: My husband has life with parole. How do we go about requesting a parole review? It's been 27 years and he's never been.

A: It depends. He or his lawyer may need to review what all of his sentences are, because he could have multiple sentences that were imposed consecutively, and for violent crimes, he must serve 50% of the aggregate sentences before he is eligible, so it depends. So, if he has multiple sentences that add up to a number that is more than twice the 27 years he has served, then he is not yet eligible. If that is not the case, then Maryland Code, Correctional Services Article, Section 7-301(d), provides the law on when a person is eligible for parole when sentenced to life with the possibility of parole:

(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, an inmate who has been sentenced to life imprisonment is not eligible for parole consideration until the inmate has served 15 years or the equivalent of 15 years considering the allowances for diminution of the inmate's term of confinement under § 6-218 of the Criminal Procedure Article and Title 3, Subtitle 7 of this article.

(2) An inmate who has been sentenced to life imprisonment as a result of a proceeding under former § 2-303 or § 2-304 of the Criminal Law Article is not eligible for parole consideration until the inmate has served 25 years or the equivalent of 25 years considering the allowances for diminution of the inmate's term of confinement under § 6-218 of the Criminal Procedure Article and Title 3, Subtitle 7 of this article.

(3)

(i) If an inmate has been sentenced to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole under § 2-203 or § 2-304 of the Criminal Law Article, the inmate is not eligible for parole consideration and may not be granted parole at any time during the inmate's sentence.

(ii) This paragraph does not restrict the authority of the Governor to pardon or remit any part of a sentence under § 7-601 of this title.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5) of this subsection, if eligible for parole under this subsection, an inmate serving a term of life imprisonment may only be paroled with the approval of the Governor.

(5)

(i) If the Commission decides to grant parole to an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment who has served 25 years without application of diminution of confinement credits, the decision shall be transmitted to the Governor.

(ii) The Governor may disapprove the decision by written transmittal to the Commission.

(iii) If the Governor does not disapprove the decision within 180 days after receipt, the decision becomes effective.