Bill > SB356

This bill would modify existing California law regarding parole hearings for inmates serving life sentences by expanding the types of photographic and documentary evidence that the Board of Parole Hearings must consider when evaluating an inmate's suitability for parole. Currently, the Board must consider statements and recommendations from various sources, but this bill would require them to review a broader range of materials, including written statements, online materials, and photographs relevant to determining parole suitability. Specifically, the bill would allow the Board to consider crime scene photographs, autopsy photographs, and photographs of weapons used in the crime, alongside other documents such as police reports, investigative reports, victim and witness statements, court transcripts, media articles, social media postings, online petitions, and business records. The underlying purpose appears to be ensuring a comprehensive review of an inmate's case by providing the Board with a more complete set of contextual information when making parole decisions. The bill does not change the existing requirement that inmates serving life sentences must serve at least seven calendar years before becoming eligible for parole.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB356