SB 1247 Parole Board; decision requirements, annual reports

About SB-1247

Parole Board; decision requirements; annual reports. Requires the Parole Board, prior to making any decision to grant discretionary parole to an inmate, to discuss and debate such decision at a meeting at which all Board members are present. The bill requires, in cases in which the Board grants discretionary parole to an inmate, each Board member to identify his reasoning for such decision at the time such member's vote is cast. The bill requires that parole review hearings include a live interview of the prisoner, which may be conducted in person or by videoconference or telephone, and, absent imminent death or other extraordinary circumstances, prohibits the Board from granting parole to any prisoner who has not received a live interview within the prior calendar year. The bill provides that final discharges may be issued by the Board only upon approval by a majority of Board members and requires the Board to publish an annual report regarding such final discharges, with items specified in the bill. The bill requires the Board to contact the victim of the crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated prior to making any decision to release the prisoner on discretionary parole and allows the victim to present testimony to the Board by virtual means. Under current law, the Board is required to endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making such decision. Parole Board; decision requirements; annual reports. Requires the Parole Board, prior to making any decision to grant discretionary parole to an inmate, to discuss and debate such decision at a meeting at which all Board members are present. The bill requires, in cases in which the Board grants discretionary parole to an inmate, each Board member to identify his reasoning for such decision at the time such member's vote is cast. The bill requires that parole review hearings include a live interview of the prisoner, which may be conducted in person or by videoconference or telephone, and, absent imminent death or other extraordinary circumstances, prohibits the Board from granting parole to any prisoner who has not received a live interview within the prior calendar year. The bill provides that final discharges may be issued by the Board only upon approval by a majority of Board members and requires the Board to publish an annual report regarding such final discharges, with items specified in the bill. The bill requires the Board to contact the victim of the crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated prior to making any decision to release the prisoner on discretionary parole and allows the victim to present testimony to the Board by virtual means. Under current law, the Board is required to endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making such decision.