HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JIM DURKIN IS CALLING FOR AN OVERHAUL OF THE STATE PRISONER REVIEW BOARD. 

LEADER DURKIN SAYS THE BOARD NEEDS TO PUT THE NEEDS OF CRIME VICTIMS BEFORE THAT OF INMATES AND PAROLEES.

DURKIN AIMS TO PUT THE EMPHASIS ON THE NEEDS OF VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING IF AN INMATE CAN BE RELEASED OR PAROLED.

DURKIN IS PUSHING FOR FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PROSECUTION EXPERIENCE, A HIGHER THRESHOLD FOR GRANTING PAROLE TO THOSE CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND FOR VICTIMS TO HAVE A STRONGER VOICE AT BOARD HEARINGS.