Alabama Updates Parole Guidelines
The Alabama Commission on Pardonment and Parole has introduced its first set of revisions to the state’s parole guidelines after a statutory review, which occurs every three years. While these guidelines aren’t mandatory and don’t provide a complete view of an offender’s readiness for parole, the board indicated that the changes aim to enhance consistency and better account for both risk factors and rehabilitation efforts.
The board noted that the guidelines function as a baseline score to evaluate an offender’s suitability for parole. However, they are used alongside various other assessments, including inmate files detailing static and dynamic risk factors, personal circumstances, and feedback from involved parties.
In its statement, the board mentioned it is also considering testimony to apply professional judgment when exercising its discretion regarding parole preparation, factoring in comments provided during parole hearings.
Among the adjustments in the revised guidelines is a modest increase in the emphasis placed on the seriousness of the offender’s crime, especially for those categorized as violent or sexual offenses. The revisions will also concentrate on multiple instances of violent behavior while incarcerated.
Offenders can earn credits for completing higher education, getting a GED, or finishing a trade program while in prison. A new neutral score category has been introduced for instances where an applicant’s final score is balanced. In these cases, the board will rely more heavily on the full prisoner file and the testimony given during hearings.
Additionally, a new process allows for pre-recorded video submissions from parole applicants, complementing the parole officer’s report that is prepared before hearings. This report contains insights gathered during interviews with offenders and other essential data from the Department of Amendments that may influence parole eligibility.
All materials—including guideline scores, parole officer reports, stakeholder feedback, and recorded testimony—are deemed valuable by the board for a thorough review.
As part of the latest guidelines evaluation, the Department of Amnesty has set up a review committee to help analyze the connection between parole data and the updated guidelines. This committee meets quarterly to provide ongoing insights as the board prepares for its next review.
While state law mandates a reevaluation of parole guidelines every three years, changes are not compulsory. The board last reviewed the guidelines in February 2024 but decided against any alterations at that time.
With these updates, the board aims to align parole decisions with the needs for public safety as well as the potential for rehabilitation.
