Bill > HB86

This bill revises the criteria for parole consideration in Alabama, changing the term "prisoner" to "inmate" throughout the relevant law. It clarifies that parole is not granted merely for good behavior but only if the Board of Pardons and Paroles determines an inmate meets established guidelines designed to ensure public safety and prioritize the use of prison space for more dangerous offenders. These guidelines, which are actuarially based and reviewed every three years, now explicitly include an inmate's risk to reoffend based on a validated assessment, their progress with the Alabama Department of Corrections' reentry plan, input from victims and law enforcement, participation in risk-reduction programs, institutional behavior, the severity of their offense, their employment while incarcerated, and any education gained while incarcerated. The board must consider employment and education, and may consider low risk to reoffend and other guideline factors. If parole is granted, the inmate is released under board-set terms and remains in the legal custody of the warden until their sentence expires or they are pardoned. The board must clearly articulate its reasons for approving or denying parole based on these guidelines, providing them to the inmate, victim, Department of Corrections, or other interested parties upon written request, though these guidelines do not create a right to parole. The bill becomes effective on October 1, 2026.