MONTGOMERY — The House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security issued a favorable report on Wednesday on a bill that would require the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles to consider a broader range of factors when determining an inmate's parole.
State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) said House Bill 86 would provide guidelines for the board to make a “holistic analysis” when reviewing an inmate’s parole while maintaining complete discretion on its final decision.
In addition to the current criteria, such as good behavior and severity of the original crime, the Board of Pardons and Paroles must also consider an inmate’s low risk to reoffend, employment while incarcerated and any education gained while incarcerated.
England said parole numbers have been trending upward, but too many inmates are still being denied.
“This bill doesn’t guarantee you being released, but at the very least, you know when you go before the parole board, that those things will be considered,” England said.
State Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville) thanked England for bringing the bill.
“People don’t understand,” Jackson said. “People [inmates] have done everything they could do. They’ve taken classes. They’ve been a good inmate. Stayed out of trouble. And come to the parole and get turned down.”
England responded, “It’s been an issue for a very long time. The State of Alabama invests millions of dollars … to give inmates opportunities to engage in getting certifications, getting educated, things like that, and actually going to work unsupervised eight hours a day. Sometimes they go home on weekends for 72 hours. They go through this entire process only to go before the parole board and be told that you’re too much of a risk to be released.”
State Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen) requested an amendment to revise the bill's wording to say the board must give "consideration" to the added factors rather than "positive consideration."
England said Bureau director Cam Ward supported his bill.
The bill passed out of committee with a favorable report, to be considered for a full House vote.
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