With over 18 years of experience in the legal system, Warwick native Laura Pisaturo has been appointed by Governor Lincoln Chafee to chair the Rhode Island Parole Board, taking over for Dr. Kenneth Walker, whose resignation becomes effective July 31. Walker will be stepping down after 34 years on the Board and Governor Lincoln Chafee thanked him for his service.

The Board considers the early release of the criminally incarcerated of the state. They have the right to approve or deny a prisoner’s early release and they also compile guidelines for making those decisions.

Pisaturo currently serves on the Warwick Planning Board and the Rhode Island Supreme Court Disciplinary Board. Her legal history is impressive. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a law degree in law from Suffolk University Law School, Pisaturo went on to be the director of the Rhode Island Children’s Advocacy Center; a prosecutor for Rhode Island Attorneys General Jeffrey Pine, Sheldon Whitehouse and Patrick Lynch. She was a civil litigator with Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP.

She shows the same amount of enthusiasm in activism and community service throughout the state. She has been involved with The LGBT Legal Issues Committee, the Warwick Rotary, The Bar Association’s Family Court as well as the Civil and Criminal Bench/Bar Committees. Providence Business News also acknowledged her service in their “Forty under 40” feature.

Chafee said, “Through her work in politics and civic participation, Laura is a strong committed leader and advocate for many issues, including children and the LGBT community. She will bring to the Parole Board valuable insight and expertise.”