A Texas parole board denied release to Jason Robert Bourque, who is serving life sentences for a series of East Texas church fires.

Bourque, of Lindale, was convicted in connection with multiple church arsons committed in 2010. The fires damaged or destroyed churches and deeply affected congregations across the region.

According to East Texas reporting, Bourque received 12 life sentences to run concurrently, along with a 20-year sentence. The parole denial means he remains in Texas Department of Criminal Justice custody. His next reported eligibility date is March 2028.

A parole denial is not a new criminal sentence. The Board of Pardons and Paroles reviews eligible cases and may set a future review date after declining release.

Families following a parole review should rely on the board and TDCJ for current case information because review dates can change and eligibility does not guarantee release.

Sources: KLTV — parole denial; East Texas Radio — sentences and next eligibility date.