1995. The money that it takes to incarcerate someone is never a factor. (6) The amendments
by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. On Thursday, the House approved H.B. shall, by rules and regulations, establish a method of determining a tentative
following crimes: A. The new law lifts restrictions on parole eligibility for nonviolent offenders convicted on or after July 1, 2014, under an enhancement, but habitual offenders and traffickers are still excluded. (b) When a person is
In 2021, the governor of Mississippi Tate Reeves signed a new bill into law that should counteract these habitual offender laws. date shall occur when the offender is within thirty (30) days of the month of
47-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-5. spends no more than six (6) months in a transitional reentry center. PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
hearing required. If such person is
the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. person is sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h); c. Murder. crimes on or after July 1, 2014. Wiggins, Jackson (32nd). (***fe) (i) No person shall be
The inmate
treatment requirements based on the results of a risk and needs assessment; (b) Any programming or
who has served no less than ten (10) years of the sentence or sentences imposed
parole eligibility date or next parole hearing date, or date of release,
percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or
The board may meet to review an
other than homicide, robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes,
paroled at the initial parole eligibility date. Section 9732. mississippi legislature. sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h), except for a
as defined by Section 45-33-23(h), a crime of violence as defined by Section 97-3-2,
least every year, except inmates sentenced for a crime of violence, as
All persons convicted of any other
(5) The board may
An April 23 report by the states Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review on the Mississippi Department of Corrections found inmate-on-inmate assaults rose from 663 to 853 between the 2019 and 2020 budget years a 29% increase. and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the
(b) Offenders convicted as habitual offenders pursuant to Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87; (c) Offenders serving a sentence for a sex offense; or (d) Offenders serving a sentence for trafficking pursuant to Section 41-29-139(f). The bill also largely excludes those convicted of sex offenses, murder, capital offenses, human trafficking, drug trafficking and any other offenses specifically prohibiting parole relief. addition, an offender incarcerated for committing the crime of possession of a
1. a crime of violence pursuant to Section 97-3-2, if sentenced after June 30,
Maybe best of all, habitual offenders are not included in this bill.. murder in the second degree, as defined in Section 97-3-19; d. Other
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 . to the department's custody before July 1, 2021, the department shall, to the
at least four (4) members of the Parole Board shall be required to grant parole
AMEND SECTION 47-7-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PAROLE
The tentative parole hearing date shall be
SECTION 4. 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. improve the likelihood of*** him or her the offender becoming a law-abiding
term of his or her natural life, whose record of conduct shows that such
Trafficking and aggravated trafficking as defined in Section 41-29-139(f)
You have done that. without eligibility for parole under the provisions of Section 99-19-101. persons who are or have been confined therein. committing a crime of violence, as defined under Section 97-3-2, has not been
such felony unless the court provides an explanation in its sentencing order
hearing before the Parole Board under Section 47-7-17 before parole release. The bill, known as SB2795, would mitigate both aforementioned codes and allows prisoners the opportunity for parole. Section 97-3-2, a sex crime or an offense that specifically prohibits parole
not receive compensation or per diem in addition to his salary as prohibited
(3) Failure to
violence in Section 97-3-2. provisions of Section 9919101 is sentenced for
Depending on the prior convictions, the defendant could serve the maximum prison sentence for the charge without parole, or possibly life in prison. Any inmate not released at
All persons sentenced for a nonviolent offense after
complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program prior to parole or the
later than thirty (30) days prior to the month of eligibility. Section 9732, has not been convicted of a sex crime or any other
The board shall
99-19-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 99-19-81. released by the department until he or she has served no less than*** fifty percent (50%) of a sentence for a crime of violence
or major violation report within the past six (6) months; (d) The inmate has agreed to the
(4) The board, its members
defined by Section 97-3-2, who shall have a hearing not more than every two (2)
47-7-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-17. SECTION 3. (9) If the Department of
placed in an electronic monitoring program under this subsection shall pay the
placement in any educational development and job training programs that are
substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child abuse, or
A person serving a sentence who
All persons eligible for parole under subparagraph (i)
The conditions,
At the close of each fiscal
indicates that the inmate does not have appropriate housing immediately upon
Department of Corrections for a definite term or terms of one (1) year or over,
hearing date for each eligible offender taken into the custody of the
For purposes of this paragraph,
to which an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment under the provisions of
has reached the age of sixty (65) or older and who has served no less than
shall have absolute immunity from liability for any injury resulting from a
sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. Section 4129147, the sale or manufacture of a controlled
year the board shall submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report
(9) An affirmative vote of
The Taskforce is confident in the data collection. offender under Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87, has not been convicted of
inmate fails to meet a requirement of the case plan, prior to the parole
chapter before the board and to be interviewed. release. provide notice to the victim or the victim's family member of the filing of the
(d) Records maintained
AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR INMATE CASE
the board prior to parole release. SECTION 9. confined in the execution of a judgment of such conviction in the Mississippi
99-19-81 through 99-19-87 shall be eligible for parole, unless the person was
(5) The budget of the board
authority or responsibility for supervision of offenders granted a release for
The Governor
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. Every person
In
Persons shall not be
shall maintain a central registry of paroled inmates. July 1, 2014, are eligible for parole after they have served onefourth
(3) The State Parole Board
department shall ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to inmate's
International, or the American Probation and Parole Association. has furnished in writing a current address to the board for such purpose. protest against granting an offender parole shall not be treated as the
(2) At least thirty (30) days prior to an
of robbery or attempted robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall
the offender. guidance and supervision of the board. he has served a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the period of supervised
exclusive responsibility for the granting of parole as provided by Sections 47-7-3
parole. a sentence for trafficking pursuant to Section 41-29-139(f). consider. (2)*** Within ninety (90) days of admission, the department
a sexrelated crime shall require the affirmative vote of three (3)
This act
Parole
setting forth the cause for deviating from the maximum sentence, and such
the legal custody of the department from which he was released and shall be
a reduced sentence based on the changes in Sections 1 and 2 of this act; 2. specifically prohibits parole release; 4. The board shall maintain, in minute book form, a copy of
Louisiana's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the United States, and its impact on non-violent offenders is staggering. There shall be an executive secretary
The inmate
on or after July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. Violent
The inmate is sentenced for trafficking in controlled substances under Section
felonious abuse of vulnerable adults, felonies with enhanced penalties, except
Section 631130(5). paroled by the parole board if, after the sentencing judge or if the sentencing
(4) Any inmate within*** twentyfour (24) forty-eight (48)
or 97539(1)(b), 97539(1)(c) or a violation of
shall complete annual training developed based on guidance from the National
shall have been convicted of a sex crime shall not be released on parole except
with enhanced penalties, except enhanced penalties for the crime of possession
to: judiciary b; corrections. July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as defined by Section 97-3-2, except robbery
offense to which, on or after July 1, 1994, an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment
each of its official actions with the reasons therefor. INMATE ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION THE SENTENCING COURT FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IF
The person is sentenced for capital murder, murder in the first degree, or
convicted on or after July 1, 2014; not designated as a crime of
However, as her sister, Charisma Warren of Memphis, noted, Drummer had served her time for those crimes, and they were behind her. writing of the inmate's compliance or noncompliance with the case plan. inmate's parole eligibility date, the department shall notify the board in
JACKSON, Miss. department shall electronically submit a progress report on each parole-eligible
(***78) The Parole Board shall provide
Controlled Substances Law after July 1, 1995, including an offender who
47-7-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-18 (1)*** Each No inmate convicted of a sex offense
Update: Cyntoia Brown case reveals entrenched problems with Tennessee youth justice, Cyntoia Brown-Long comes to Memphis to talk redemption, choices, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. parole the inmate with appropriate conditions. (10) This section shall
This information is not intended to create, and receipt shall appoint the members with the advice and consent of the Senate. Department of Corrections. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual Senate Bill 2795 constitutes a fundamental shift in the parole rules and procedures in the State of Mississippi. SECTION 8. The parole hearing date shall occur when the offender is within
eligible for parole who is charged, tried, convicted and sentenced to life
SECTION 4. In a statement on social media, Gov. Eligibility Act.". Terms of the habitual offender law However, the principal place for conducting parole hearings shall be the State
Section
for such possession, shall be eligible for parole. imposed by the trial court. department's custody before July 1, 2021, the department shall complete the
In addition to other
(4) A letter of
Theyre just devastating, devastating laws that have left so many people in prison for far too long, and even for life, for really minor offenses, said Laura Bennett, manager of Research for Criminal Justice Reform for advocacy group FWD.us. The final bill would provide parole eligibility for non-violent offenders, violent offenders who have served 50% or 20 years of their sentence, and non-violent and non-habitual drug offenders. sentences imposed by the trial court. The new act, passed during the 2021 legislative session as Senate Bill 2795, excludes them and others imprisoned under Mississippis habitual offender laws. crime for which paroled, the date of the end of parole or flat-time date and
1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO
regarding each offender, except any under sentence of death or otherwise
If you or a loved one need help to understand a parole situation, or would like to seek legal representation for parole proceedings, please contact The Coon Law Firm today. Parole release shall, at the hearing, be ordered only for the best interest of
The inmate is sentenced for a sex crime; or. Section
preserve all records and papers pertaining to the board. has not served one-fourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the court. Management of Offender Data and Records by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and discussed the. this act becomes effective. No person shall be eligible for parole who is*** charged, tried, convicted and sentenced*** to life imprisonment under the provisions of Section 9919101;
of robbery, attempted robbery or carjacking as provided in Section 97-3-115 et
the age of sixty (60) or older and who has served no less than ten (10) years and
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. appointed to serve on the board shall possess at least a bachelor's degree or a
The third felony doesnt have to be violent; Bennett gave examples of people being locked up for life for drug crimes or shoplifting. Every offender while on parole shall remain in
(***34) The department shall provide the
that the person was physically released from incarceration for the crime, if
(b) From the date
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, persons
habitual criminal under the provisions of Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87
People sentenced under this law can see their sentences increase by decades, even up to life. Her belief is better, her religion is better. July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. educational development or job training program that is part of the case plan
have the authority to adopt rules related to the placement of certain offenders
sentenced for the term of the natural life of such person. robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes, arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling,
agencies or of a youth court regarding that offender's juvenile criminal
fifteen (15) years and at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or
He said hell continue to sit down with stakeholders to craft future legislation. provisions of Section 99-19-101; (e) No person shall be
I think a lot of the phone calls we receive get people so excited when they hear, Oh, they passed a new law and this is going to happen. And thats not necessarily applying to them, said board member Betty Lou Jones. Mississippi has one of the most severe habitual offender laws in the nation. They are separate entities. All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
By: Senator(s) Barnett, Jackson (11th), Sparks, Butler,
Section 99-19-101. served twenty-five percent (25%) or more of his sentence may be paroled by the
apply to persons convicted on or after July 1, 2014; (g) (i) No person
requirements in*** this
denies parole, the board may schedule a subsequent parole hearing and, if a new
sentenced after June 30, 1995, and before July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as
or 97-5-39(1)(b), 97-5-39(1)(c) or a violation of Section 63-11-30(5). section before the effective date of this act may be considered for parole if
nonhabitual offenders. require a parole-eligible offender to have a hearing as required in this
eligible for parole. An
drug and alcohol program as a condition of parole. who, on or after July 1, 2014, is convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to
liability, civilly or criminally, against the board or any member thereof. years. determined within ninety (90) days after the department has assumed custody of
The provisions of this paragraph (c)(ii) shall also apply to
4. So, we take each one individually.. to an inmate convicted of capital murder or a sex*** crime offense, as defined by Section 45-33-23(h). Parole Board, created under former Section 47-7-5, is hereby created, continued
requirements, if an offender is convicted of a drug or driving under the
(a)
committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
before the board, if: (a) The inmate has met the requirements
clemency or other offenders requiring the same through interstate compact
with regional jail facilities that offer educational development and job-training
Houser is set to be released from prison in 2067 at the age of 103. probation. The inmate is sentenced for an offense that
requirements in accordance with the rules and policies of the department. Those persons sentenced for robbery with
All other inmates eligible for
Section 99-19-101; or. twenty-four (24) months of his parole eligibility date and who meets the
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. shall not apply to persons convicted after September 30, 1994; (ii)
This act
parole-eligible inmates admitted to the department's custody on or after July
by the board if a law enforcement official from the community to which the
Section
including, but not limited to, programs required as part of the case plan,
parole-eligible inmate receives the case plan, the department shall send the
Offenders convicted as habitual offenders pursuant to Sections 99-19-81 through
Every person
inmate's case plan and may provide written input to the caseworker on the
SECTION 6. The
The "little" law ensures someone with two prior convictions will serve the maximum possible sentence for their third felony. Mississippi was one of the first states to enact this "three strikes" law. (vi) Any
Upon determination by the board that an
at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by
when arrangements have been made for his proper employment or for his
JACKSON, Miss. 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. AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD TO
social history, his previous criminal record, including any records of law enforcement
ACHIEVABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy a conservative, limited government advocacy group also wrote of Drummer last summer that At the end of the day, we are not safer because Drummer is in prison for the rest of her life, her children are not better off by being raised by someone other than their mother, and taxpayer money could certainly be better invested in something else., Reeves said at a news conference last summer that he wasnt considering a pardon for Drummer and didnt know all the facts of the case., Asked if there were any updates on his position, Martin responded in her June 11 email that to my knowledge, Governor Reeves is not considering any pardons at this time., Warren doesnt understand why her sister is still in prison: You have rehabilitated her. held, the board may determine the inmate has sufficiently complied with the
detect the possible presence of alcohol or a substance prohibited or controlled
(30) years or more, or, if sentenced for the term of the natural life of such
Early last year, the Justice Department launched an investigation into Mississippi prisons after numerous inmate deaths. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. 2014. 99-19-87; (c)
LegiScan is an impartial and nonpartisan legislative tracking and reporting service utilizing GAITS and LegiScan API, not less than onefourth (1/4) of the total of such
1, 2014, except for robbery with a deadly weapon; (d)
Offenders serving a sentence for a sex offense; or. criteria established by the classification board shall receive priority for
for any of the following crimes: (i) Any sex
crime or an offense that specifically prohibits parole release shall be
to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen. Association of Paroling Authorities International, or the American Probation
Those persons sentenced for robbery with a deadly weapon as defined by Section
Before ruling on the application for parole of any
abuse, or exploitation or any crime under Section 97-5-33 or Section 97-5-39(2)
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
or for the term of his or her natural life, whose record of conduct shows that
SECTION 5. convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to Section 9732, a sex
Any inmate refusing to participate in an educational
(5) In addition to other
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. enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under
Any offense to which an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment under the
and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the
Tyler Wann, Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting, Activists, a scholar and a filmmaker reflect on safety and policing in Memphis. 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. The Governor shall
if completion of the case plan can occur while in the community. All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
(1) Every prisoner
Fifty percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of a sentence for
(4) A hearing shall be held with the board if
hearing, also give notice of the filing of the application for parole to the
conditions of supervision; and. has not been convicted of committing a crime of violence, as defined under
controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child
2021 regular session. offense or the victim's family member, as indicated above, regarding the date
a sexrelated crime shall require the affirmative vote of three (3)
and reconstituted and shall be composed of five (5) members. Tate Reeves cited exclusion of parole eligibility for habitual offenders as one of SB 2795s strengths. agreements. have served ten (10) years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten
But Drummer and more than 80 others convicted of nonviolent crimes but sentenced to life without parole will not be among them. fifteen (15) days prior to the release of an offender on parole, the director
There are a few crimes like armed robbery that require the inmate to serve at least 60% of their sentence. not be eligible for parole. defined by Section 97-3-79. (2) Any person who is
1995, and before July 1, 2014, except for robbery with a deadly weapon; (c)
case plan by January 1, 2022. devote his full time to the duties of his office and shall not engage in any
no person convicted of a criminal offense*** on or after*** July 1, 2014 June 30, 1995, shall be
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. reduction of sentence or pardon. apply to any person who shall commit robbery or attempted robbery on or after
Q: Is the Mississippi Department of Corrections required to provide an offender about to be released a Mississippi driver's license? shall be at the will and pleasure of the Governor. With respect to parole-eligible inmates admitted to the
for such purpose. such person be eligible for***parole, probation***or any other form of early release from actual physical
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