It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 13-8-13 of the General Laws in Chapter 13-8 entitled "Parole" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 13-8-13. Life prisoners and prisoners with lengthy sentences. -- ADD} (a) In case of a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for life, a parole permit may be issued at any time after the prisoner has served not less than ten (10) years imprisonment, provided, however, in case of a prisoner serving a sentence or sentences of a length making him or her ineligible for a permit in less than ten (10) years, pursuant to section 13-8-9 and section 13-8-10, the permit may be issued at any time after the prisoner has served not less than ten (10) years imprisonment, provided, however, that in the case of a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for life for a first or second degree murder committed after July 10, 1989, the permit may be issued only after the prisoner has served not less than fifteen (15) years imprisonment, {ADD provided further, however, in the case of a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for life for a first or second degree murder committed after the date of the passage of this act, such permit may be issued only after such prisoner has served not less than twenty (20) years imprisonment, ADD} and provided further that the permit shall be issued only by a unanimous vote of all the attending members of the board, providing that not less than four (4) members are present, and whenever after the issue of the permit the prisoner shall be pardoned, then the control of the board over the prisoner shall cease and determine; provided, however, that in case of a prisoner sentenced to imprisonment for life who is convicted of escape or attempted escape from the lawful custody of the warden of the adult correctional institutions, the permit may be issued only after the prisoner has served not less than twenty-five (25) years imprisonment; and, provided, further, that for each subsequent conviction of the escape or attempted escape, an additional five (5) years shall be added to the time so required to be served.

(b) In case of a prisoner sentenced consecutively to more than one life term, for crimes occurring after May 7, 1981, the permit may be issued only after the prisoner has served not less that ten (10) years consecutively on each life sentence; {DEL provided, however, that nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed as permitting the issuance of a permit when a prisoner who has been sentenced consecutively to more than one life term for crimes occurring before May 7, 1981 has served not less than ten (10) years on each life sentence. DEL} {ADD provided, however, in the case of a prisoner sentenced consecutively to more than one (1) life term, for crimes occurring after the date of passage of this act, the permit may be issued only after the prisoner has served not less than fifteen (15) years consecutively on each life sentence. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.