Brian Walshe was found guilty Monday of the killing and grisly dismemberment of his wife Ana, a conviction that brings a sentence of life without parole. But this is Massachusetts, and due punishment for one’s crime isn’t a given.

“We took this job to speak for victims, and (the trial team) did one heck of a job speaking for Ana’s family,” Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey told reporters outside the courthouse. “And I just wanted to also say we did hear from Ana’s sister, and her comment was, ‘Justice has been served.’ ”

For now.

The heinous details revealed during Brian Walshe’s trial are still fresh; internet searches on how to dispose of a body and clean up blood. They’re details Ana Walshe’s family would no doubt like to forget, and ones which the couple’s three children will one day learn.

The grief will live on, somewhat dulled by time, healing bolstered by the knowledge that Brian Walshe will not see the light of day after what he did to the mother of his children.

The question is, will justice last for Ana Walshe? Legislation before the State Legislature proposes giving prisoners serving life the opportunity to have a parole hearing after 25 years of their sentence. It would not guarantee parole, only a hearing, according to State House News.

It would also require the Department of Correction to provide anyone sentenced to more than 25 years with the chance to participate in a restorative justice program connecting “the prisoner and victims, family of the victims, the parties to a crime, and community members within the prison.”

Imagine, 25 years on, the family of Ana Walshe “connecting” to her killer.

Legislation such as this has been filed before and withered on the vine. Even if it doesn’t pass this time around, there will doubtless be others willing to take up the cause.

Restorative justice isn’t inherently a bad idea, particularly for non-violent crimes that don’t result in death. But no one gets a life sentence for boosting a TV from Walmart. They do for killing and dismembering a person.

Perhaps in years to come Brian Walshe will feel genuine remorse, even admit to killing Ana. That doesn’t erase a minute of what he did, doesn’t give those children their mother back, doesn’t restore Ana’s presence to her family and friends.

Her body hasn’t been found. The “closure” of a funeral eludes those who loved her. The eventual possibility of “genuine remorse” isn’t making these days less hellish for Ana’s friends and family.

While the legislation would guarantee a hearing, not parole, we’ve seen too many examples of the Massachusetts Parole Board granting release to prisoners over the objections of family and law enforcement who testify before it.

Last month the board green-lit the release of Jody Oleson — who was 25 years old when he was out on parole and bludgeoned a 71-year-old man to death. In July the board freed Gary Moody, who had been sentenced to life in prison for raping a “cognitively-delayed” woman and slashing her throat.

There are others who committed egregious crimes who can look forward to Christmas on the outside thanks to the parole board.

Brian Walshe should never be one of them.

Editorial cartoon by Al Goodwyn (Creators Syndicate)