The Puerto Rico House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing Thursday, July 9, at 10 a.m. in the Severo Colberg hearing room to examine the operations of the Junta de Libertad Bajo Palabra (Parole Board). Committee president José 'Che' Pérez, of the New Progressive Party, announced the hearing follows the case of Carlos Estefano Pino, a person of interest in the murder of a nurse in Caguas, who had been on parole since 2018 despite serving part of a 167-year sentence for femicide and other crimes.
this investigation is not a populist one
Officials from the Parole Board, the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, and the Department of Justice are expected to testify. Pérez said the investigation, conducted under House Resolution 139 (authored by him along with House Speaker Carlos 'Johnny' Méndez), will review case evaluation procedures, compliance requirements, associated hearing studies, and detailed data on administrative decisions.
He said the goal is to determine whether legislation is needed to address gaps in the system, stressing 'this investigation is not a populist one' but an opportunity to strengthen mechanisms if necessary. Resolution 139 also authorizes broader review of the judicial system, including quasi-judicial executive entities, courts, and legal services.