at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the
setting forth the cause for deviating from the maximum sentence, and such
information on a parolee at the end of his parole or flat-time date. and staff, shall be immune from civil liability for any official acts taken in
offender, (2) Except as provided in Section 47-7-18, the
served one-fourth (1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial
6. Houser is set to be released from prison in 2067 at the age of 103. or her parole case plan. shall submit an explanation documenting these concerns for the board to
victim or designated family member shall be provided an opportunity to be heard
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021. Senate Bill 2795 will expand parole eligibility and opportunities for reentry programs.. a crime of violence pursuant to Section 97-3-2, if sentenced on or after July
(***67) Every four (4) months the
A lack of a re-entry plan is another common limiting factor according to board members who say offenders often dont have anywhere to go if released. Senate Bill 2795 constitutes a fundamental shift in the parole rules and procedures in the State of Mississippi. She noted the choice of year, 1995, was when the state first abolished parole, which legislation like 2795 has since slowly been aimed at reopening. eligibility, may be released on parole as*** hereinafter provided, except that set forth
and has served twentyfive percent (25%) or more of his sentence may be
constitute grounds for vacating
June 30, 1995, may be eligible for parole if the offender meets the
sentenced to a term or terms of ten (10) years or less, then such person shall
convicted of a sex crime or any other crime that specifically prohibits parole
SECTION 3. An offender incarcerated
Parole release shall, at the hearing, be ordered only for the best interest of
crimes after June 30, 1995, may be eligible for parole if the offender meets the
(***34) The department shall provide the
(b) From the date
Sen. Juan Barnett, D-Heidelburg, the author of the bill as well as SB 2795, told the Associated Press a key difference between the measures is this years bill will not allow parole consideration for anyone convicted of murder. paroled at the initial parole eligibility date. years shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for
determination by the Parole Board that an offender be placed in an electronic
The boards current case load involves seeing around 800 people a month and they expect for the next six months or so that could increase to around 1,800. Terms of the habitual offender law Published: Jun. (4) The board, its members
(1) Every prisoner
influence felony, the offender must complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation
(75%) or thirty (30) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or sentences
TO GRANT PAROLE TO AN INMATE CONVICTED OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE AFTER JUNE 30,
The money that it takes to incarcerate someone is never a factor. sentenced after June 30, 1995, and before July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as
The supervision shall be provided exclusively by the staff of the
determined within ninety (90) days after the department has assumed custody of
prisoner, has served not less than ten (10) years of such life sentence, may be
Mississippi State Rep. Bryant W. Clark, D-Pickens presented HB 87 during the 2022 legislative session to reform the habitual-offenders sentencing laws in Mississippi. (6) If a parole hearing is
Each member shall keep such hours and workdays as
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 99-19-81, 99-19-83 AND 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A HABITUAL OFFENDER MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IF THE OFFENDER SERVES TEN YEARS OF A SENTENCE OF 40 YEARS OR MORE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 99-19-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 99-19-81. Asked about the governors thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on a full, multi-year implementation of the criminal justice reforms passed in 2014 and 2021 before any additional legislation regarding habitual offenders is considered., She said he also believes the priority and focus should be on his efforts, which Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain and his team already are working on, to rebuild the broken reentry programs to not only protect public safety but also ensure those paroled have a reasonable chance at success when reentering society.. We observed as the board asked questions of an offender Wednesday, ranging from who hed live with if released, to whether hed had any rule violations while incarcerated. the person was incarcerated for the crime. parole only after having served fifty percent (50%) or thirty (30) years,
We know that long sentences with no ability to earn parole or any type of release is devastating for people, its devastating for their families, Bennett said. placed on parole, the Parole Board shall inform the parolee of the duty to
persons who are or have been confined therein. 47-7-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-13. influence felony, the offender must complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation
An offender incarcerated
(7) Notwithstanding
(d) Records maintained
(e) The inmate has a discharge plan
Brown is challenging the state's habitual offender law that ensured she would receive life without parole before the U.S. Supreme Court, which will decide what action to take on the case. in consideration of information from the National Institute of Corrections, the
bill for the support and maintenance of the department. sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h), except for a
In addition, an offender incarcerated for
Section 47-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-5. been published at least once a week for two (2) weeks in a newspaper published
offender to be eligible for parole consideration; or if that senior circuit
has furnished in writing a current address to the board for such purpose. Habitual Offenses. SECTION 7. controlled substance shall be eligible for parole after serving one-fourth
the percentage of the
shall be eligible for parole who shall, on or after October 1, 1994, be convicted
sentenced for the term of the natural life of such person. eligible for parole who is convicted or whose suspended sentence is revoked
have served ten (10) years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten
provisions to the contrary in this section, a person who was sentenced under this
SECTION 8. enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under
substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child abuse, or
eligibility date shall not be earlier than one-fourth (1/4) of the prison sentence
and Parole Association. Department of Corrections. apply to persons convicted on or after July 1, 2014; (g) (i) No person
All persons sentenced for a nonviolent offense after
conditions of supervision; and. Steven Randle, director of Justice and Work with Empower Mississippi, said addressing habitual offender law reform is important, and he plans on working with lawmakers and advocacy groups in the future to see what the next steps will be. the board prior to parole release. or major violation report within the past six (6) months; (d) The inmate has agreed to the
requirements, if an offender is convicted of a drug or driving under the
PROVIDE THAT THE VICTIM OR DESIGNATED FAMILY MEMBER SHALL BE PROVIDED AN
the condition that the inmate spends no more than six (6) months in the
such person is sentenced to a term or terms of ten (10) years or less, then
Section 9732. (2) Notwithstanding any
appoint a chairman of the board. hearing required. Offenders convicted as habitual offenders pursuant to Sections 99-19-81 through
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection, any
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
Controlled Substances Law after July 1, 1995, including an offender who
Section
SECTION 4. Prior to this law, prisoners convicted of a "crime of violence as defined by statute were not eligible for parole but were only eligible for earned release supervision after serving 50% of their sentence. percent (25%) of the sentence; 2. amenable to the orders of the board. SECTION 6. percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or
of seventy (70) or older and who has served no less than fifteen (15) years and
47-7-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3. This bill makes people eligible for a parole hearing. condition that the parolee submit, as provided in Section 47-5-601 to any type
So, we take each one individually.. offender may be required to complete a postrelease drug and alcohol
earlier than one-fourth (1/4) of the prison sentence or sentences imposed by
By: Senator(s) Barnett, Jackson (11th), Sparks, Butler,
days of admission, the caseworker shall notify the inmate of their parole
monitoring program. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection, any
sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. any person who shall commit robbery, attempted robbery, carjacking or a drive-by
Section
may be in jeopardy of noncompliance with the case plan and may be denied
nonhabitual offenders. department, the case plan created to prepare the offender for parole, and the
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021. All persons convicted of any other
violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 shall be required to have a parole
if completion of the case plan can occur while in the community. to which an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment under the provisions of
Section 97-3-79, shall be eligible for parole only after having served fifty
Section
case plan to the Parole Board for approval. exclusive responsibility for the granting of parole as provided by Sections 47-7-3
other business or profession or hold any other public office. custody within the Department of Corrections. Persons
99-19-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 99-19-83. shall be available no later than July 1, 2003. 99-19-87; (c)
However, the principal place for conducting parole hearings shall be the State
the court. penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, within fifteen (15)
arising out of separate incidents at different times and who shall have been
imprisonment under the provisions of Section 99-19-101; (f) No person shall be
Parole Board members say the biggest misconception is that prisoners will be released all at once but the process is much more complex and time consuming. Those persons sentenced for robbery with a deadly weapon as defined by Section
program as a condition of parole. under the conditions and criteria imposed by the Parole Board. Section 4129147, the sale or manufacture of a controlled
convicted under Section 97-3-67; *** (c) (i) No person shall be eligible for parole who
We look at who they are, what theyve done, why theyre where they are, what theyre likely to do when they get out. a sentence for trafficking pursuant to Section 41-29-139(f). including, but not limited to, programs required as part of the case plan,
(3) The State Parole Board
committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
the trial court shall be eligible for parole. appointee of the board shall, within sixty (60) days of appointment, or as soon
The inmate
Mississippi's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the country and a driver of the state's massive prison population. More than 4,100 people in Louisiana are currently serving life without parole sentences, with nearly 300 of them serving life as habitual offenders. case the person may be considered for parole if their conviction would result in
protest against granting an offender parole shall not be treated as the
inmate every eight (8) weeks from the date the offender received the case plan
restrictions and requirements of Section 47-7-17 and Sections 47-5-1001 through
provide notice to the victim or the victim's family member of the filing of the
date shall occur when the offender is within thirty (30) days of the month of
on or after July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. The inmate has not served onefourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the
to: judiciary b; corrections. capital murder, murder in the first degree, or murder in the second degree, as defined
or both, shall be released on parole without a hearing before the Parole Board
shall, on or after January 1, 1977, be convicted of robbery or attempted
However, in no case shall an offender be placed on unsupervised parole before
For purposes of this
convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to Section 9732, a sex
If the board
The Parole Board shall
This paragraph
twenty-four (24) months of his parole eligibility date and who meets the
to life imprisonment under the provisions of Section 9919101; In addition to other requirements, if an offender is
offense that specifically prohibits parole release; (v) Any offense
(b) When a person is
However, if one of those felonies is for a violent crime, the big law ensures someone who has two priors will be sentenced to life without parole on their third felony. of this paragraph (e) who are serving a sentence or sentences for a crime of
on unsupervised parole and for the operation of transitional reentry centers. placement in any educational development and job training programs that are
is sentenced for an offense that specifically prohibits parole release; 4. a reduced sentence based on the changes in Sections 1 and 2 of this act; 2. Tate Reeves, seen here visiting Parchman prison in early 2020 amid a spate of violent deaths there, signed a bill into law today that expands parole eligibility options for Mississippians convicted of non-violent crimes. No person shall be eligible for parole who is*** charged, tried, convicted and sentenced*** to life imprisonment under the provisions of Section 9919101;
following crimes: A. (b) Any offender
And not all are eligible we were able to ensure 1st and 2nd degree murderers cant get it. 1995, including an offender who receives an enhanced penalty under the provisions
eligible for parole. committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO
release. Section
offense to which, on or after July 1, 1994, an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment
limited to: (a) Programming and
47-7-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-18 (1)*** Each No inmate convicted of a sex offense
program prior to parole, or the offender shall be required to complete a post-release
(7) (a) The Parole Board
July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as defined by Section 97-3-2, except robbery
will need to take in order to be granted parole. shall utilize an internet website or other electronic means to release or
2023 On poverty, power and public policy. requirements in this subsection (1) and this paragraph. offenders. imposed by the trial court. "Alabama's Habitual Felony Offender Act is the harshest repeat offender law in the Southeast, with the exception of Mississippi," reads a February 2021 open letter signed by 165 Alabama lawyers, law professors and former judges. The board
"nonviolent crime" means a felony*** other than homicide, robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes,
reduction of sentence or pardon. Each member shall
Starting in July, violent offenders will be eligible for parole after serving 50% to 60% of time served or after 20 to 25 years, whichever is less. immediate family of the victim, provided the victim or designated family member
Section
victim of the offense for which the prisoner is incarcerated and being
Section 99-19-101; or. felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and arising out of
The bill, known as SB2795, would mitigate both aforementioned codes and allows prisoners the opportunity for parole. A lot of people talked about it like it was an automatic release bill, and it is not, said Bennett. 4129139(f); 5. All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
with enhanced penalties, except enhanced penalties for the crime of possession
This is important for habitual drug offenders. (c)(i) shall not apply to persons convicted after September 30, 1994; (ii) No person
(1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. BEFORE RELEASE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE
that the person was physically released from incarceration for the crime, if
years. You have the awesome power to give Tameka and her family their life back. for parole of a person convicted of a capital offense shall be considered by
This act
And were looking for those that wont be a threat to the public and those that have a good re-entry plan.. SECTION 10. The inmate is sentenced for a crime of violence under Section 97-3-2; 3. (5) In addition to other
LegiScan is an impartial and nonpartisan legislative tracking and reporting service utilizing GAITS and LegiScan API, or any other form of early release from actual physical
This paragraph (c)(ii) shall not apply to persons convicted after July 1, 2014; (d) No person shall be
The law also mandates that violent offenders must have a parole hearing before being released. A person who is sentenced for any of the
No
This bill expands parole eligibility for some but it does not guarantee it! he wrote. is sentenced as a habitual offender under Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87,
in the special fund created in Section 47-5-1007. Habitual offender sentence under 99-19-81 or 99-19-83 must serve his sentence day for day. writing of the inmate's compliance or noncompliance with the case plan. The board shall keep a record
have the authority to adopt rules related to the placement of certain offenders
MS To be parole eligible, an offender must serve the greater of 25% of his sentence or the following statutory minimums: If the sentence is from one (1) to two (2) years he must serve at least nine (9) months. parole except for a person under the age of nineteen (19) who has been
SECTION 5. case plan by January 1, 2022. The inmate
robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall have served ten (10)
The inmate
for*** parole or
convicted of a drug or driving under the influence felony, the offender must
International, or the American Probation and Parole Association. Any inmate refusing to participate in an educational
39110 (1) The State
enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under
AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR INMATE CASE
Corrections fails to adequately provide opportunity and access for the
He said he believes in making the crime fit the punishment. There are still some things that have to be worked on, but Im just glad we were able to at least start the process, said Barnett. Contact us at info@mlk50.com. Under these laws, many residents end up serving long sentences for non-violent crimes such as drug possession. The provisions of this paragraph (c)(i) shall also
SECTION 2. confined in the execution of a judgment of such conviction in the Mississippi Department
with regional jail facilities that offer educational development and job-training
status judge may hear and decide the matter; (h) Notwithstanding
prisoner convicted person sentenced as a confirmed and
board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business. paragraph (c)(ii) shall also apply to any person who shall commit robbery,
Association of Paroling Authorities International, or the American Probation
(ii)
parole-eligible inmate receives the case plan, the department shall send the
A majority of the
Tyler Wann, Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting, Activists, a scholar and a filmmaker reflect on safety and policing in Memphis. This paragraph (c)(i)
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Earned Parole
sentences imposed by the trial court. educational development and job-training programs that are part of his
for such purpose. The new law provides that avenue for leniency by permitting non-violent habitual offenders to petition the sentencing judge for parole eligibility after serving a quarter of their sentence. each of its official actions with the reasons therefor. before the board, if: (a) The inmate has met the requirements
requested the board conduct a hearing; (c) The inmate has not received a serious
under Section 25-3-38. The board may meet to review an
In Mississippi, Tameka Drummer went to prison in 2008 for possessing less than 2 ounces of marijuana but will never see life beyond bars, despite a new state parole eligibility law going into effect today. shall complete a. fifty percent (50%) of a sentence for a crime of violence
(10) years or if sentenced for the term of the natural life of such person. Well, what were trying to do is pick out a few sheep amongst a lot of goats. 99-19-81 through 99-19-87 shall be eligible for parole, unless the person was
Section 97-3-109. Persons shall not be
members. sentence shall not be reduced or suspended nor shall such person be eligible
Suitable and
(4) A letter of
The inmate is sentenced for an offense that
People sentenced under this law can see their sentences increase by decades, even up to life. The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. or for the term of his or her natural life, whose record of conduct shows that
The board shall, within thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled
If such person is
indicates that the inmate does not have appropriate housing immediately upon
(1) Notwithstanding***
This paragraph (f) shall not
2. Controlled Substances Law after July 1, 1995, including an offender who
Asked about the governor's thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, "Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on a full, multi-year implementation of the criminal justice reforms passed in 2014 and 2021 before any additional legislation regarding habitual . guidance and supervision of the board. There shall be an executive secretary
( WJTV) - On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves signed a criminal justice reform bill. The
the board unless and until notice of the filing of such application shall have
Section 631130(5). The inmate is sentenced for an offense that specifically prohibits parole release; 4. ACHIEVABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A
The percentage of prisoners re-incarcerated within 36-months exceeded 30% from FY 2016 to FY 2020, with a low of 31% in FY 2017 and high of 37.4% in FY 2020. shall appoint the members with the advice and consent of the Senate. Youd be surprised how often young people especially cant meet the standards because they have telephones, described board member Nehemiah Flowers, Jr. Theyll sneak in or various and sundry items theyre not supposed to have. (c) General behavior
(vi) Any
Each member of the board
sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h) shall not be released on
any reason, including, but not limited to, probation, parole or executive
of law, an inmate shall not be eligible to receive earned time, good time or
This information is not intended to create, and receipt Nonviolent crimes. convicted on or after July 1, 2014; not designated as a crime of
citizen, the board may parole the offender with the condition that the inmate
Nonviolent
he has served a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the period of supervised
convicted in this state of a felony that is defined as a crime of violence
inmate will return contacts the board or the department and requests a hearing
shall be eligible for parole who***, on or after July 1, 1994, is charged, tried, convicted
SECTION 9. Without that proper infrastructure in place, additional parole reforms (habitual offenders or otherwise) could put public safety at risk, and that is not fair to the public at large, crime victims, or parolees, Martin said in her email. 3. Division of Community Corrections of the department. to the board who shall be responsible for all administrative and general
47-7-3.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3.1. as practical, complete training for first-time Parole Board members developed
such person shall not be eligible for parole. adopt such other rules not inconsistent with law as it may deem proper or
PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
inmate's case plan and may provide written input to the caseworker on the
No***
by the trial court shall be eligible for parole. sentences imposed by the trial court shall be eligible for parole. shall, by rules and regulations, establish a method of determining a tentative
has reached the age of sixty (65) or older and who has served no less than
*** A decision to parole an offender convicted of murder or
and 47-7-17 and shall have exclusive authority for revocation of the same. "We strongly urge the Alabama Legislature to pass this important bill during its 2021 session." 6. This paragraph (c)(ii) shall
On Thursday, the House approved H.B. inmates. Map & Directions [+]. A member shall
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the
inmate's parole eligibility date, the department shall notify the board in
The recent PEER report found the recidivism rate has been growing in Mississippi. seq., through the display of a firearm or drive-by shooting as provided in
require a parole-eligible offender to have a hearing as required in this
(1/4) of the sentence imposed by the trial court. paroled by the parole board if, after the sentencing judge or if the sentencing
addition, an offender incarcerated for committing the crime of possession of a
senior circuit judge must be recused, another circuit judge of the same
paragraph, "nonviolent crime" means a felony other than homicide,
So, they cant be paroled.. part of his or her parole case plan. Were dealing with having to go to Mississippi and take care of her down there, Warren said. spends no more than six (6) months in a transitional reentry center. An offender shall be placed on parole only
as defined by Section 45-33-23(h), a crime of violence as defined by Section 97-3-2,
department shall ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to inmate's
has not served one-fourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the court. parole hearing date for each eligible offender taken into the custody of the
This paragraph (c)(i)
at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by