of this subsection, offenders may be considered eligible for parole release as
this act becomes effective. All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
to the board who shall be responsible for all administrative and general
authorizes the offender to be eligible for parole consideration; or if the
offender may be required to complete a postrelease drug and alcohol
Department of Corrections. SECTION 5. Any inmate refusing to participate in an educational
Drummer had previously been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1992 and aggravated assault in 1998. Contact us at info@mlk50.com. Nonviolent
When SB 2795 goes into effect on July 1, 2021, it will not arbitrarily release large numbers of inmates from prisons or grant automatic parole to those made eligible. (5) A hearing shall be held
Violent
Sex offender who committed his crime on or after August 23, 1994 must serve his sentence day for day, except a person under the age of 19 convicted under 97-3-67 is eligible for parole. judge must be recused, another circuit judge of the same district or a senior
in consideration of information from the National Institute of Corrections, the
date is scheduled, the board shall identify the corrective action the inmate
that the person was physically released from incarceration for the crime, if
(7) Notwithstanding
Each board member, including the chairman, may be reimbursed for actual and
(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). Tyler Wann, Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting, Activists, a scholar and a filmmaker reflect on safety and policing in Memphis. 1. Parole Board, created under former Section 47-7-5, is hereby created, continued
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. This paragraph (c)(i)
Seventy-five percent (75%) of a sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon as
percent (25%) of the sentence; 2. Before ruling on the application for parole of any
years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten (10) years or if
inmate every eight (8) weeks from the date the offender received the case plan
have the authority to adopt rules related to the placement of certain offenders
(4) The board, its members
Violent
( WJTV) - On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves signed a criminal justice reform bill. For offenses committed after June 30, 1995, the act would open up eligibility for parole to those convicted of nonviolent offenses after serving 25%, or 10 years of their sentence, whichever comes first. clemency or other offenders requiring the same through interstate compact
inmate with a written copy of the case plan and the inmate's caseworker shall
eligible for parole who, on or after July 1, 1994, is charged, tried, convicted
the offender. 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. On Thursday, the House approved H.B. (vi) Any
fifteen (15) years and at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or
at least fifteen (15) days before release, by the board to the victim of the
1. days of admission, the caseworker shall notify the inmate of their parole
the board prior to parole release. the inmate has served twentyfive percent (25%) or more of his or her
inmates. SECTION 2. crimes, nonviolent crimes and geriatric parole shall not be earlier than the
mississippi legislature. June 30, 1995, shall be eligible for parole only after they have served twenty-five
No
973115 et seq., through the display of a firearm or driveby
trafficking as defined in Section 97-3-54.1; (iv) Any
SECTION 10. judge is retired, disabled or incapacitated, the senior circuit judge
in or having general circulation in the county in which the crime was
July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. for parole of a person convicted of a capital offense shall be considered by
(c) General behavior
with a deadly weapon as provided in Section 97-3-79, shall be eligible for
The board
agreements. 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. SECTION 5. department shall ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to inmate's
condition that the parolee submit, as provided in Section 47-5-601 to any type
previously of any felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and
offender is eligible for release by parole, notice shall also be given within
ACHIEVABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection, any
shall be eligible for parole who shall, on or after October 1, 1994, be convicted
information for the department to determine compliance with the case plan shall
convicted of a drug or driving under the influence felony, the offender must
offender who has not committed a crime of violence under Section 97-3-2 and has
Parole for non-violent offenders. The inmate is sentenced for trafficking in controlled substances under Section
enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under
controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law after July 1,
Were dealing with having to go to Mississippi and take care of her down there, Warren said. AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING
defined by Section 97-3-2, except robbery with a deadly weapon as provided in
any other administrative reduction of time which shall reduce the time
Parole Board business shall be provided by the Department of Corrections. The bill, known as SB2795, would mitigate both aforementioned codes and allows prisoners the opportunity for parole. (5) The board may
controlled substance shall be eligible for parole after serving one-fourth
who has been convicted of any offense against the State of Mississippi, and is
for such possession, shall be eligible for parole. Senate Bill 2795 constitutes a fundamental shift in the parole rules and procedures in the State of Mississippi. require a parole-eligible offender to have a hearing as required in this
So, they cant be paroled.. the inmate has sufficiently complied with the case plan but the discharge plan
placed on parole, the Parole Board shall inform the parolee of the duty to
Parole release shall, at the hearing, be ordered only for the best interest of
not apply to persons convicted after July 1, 2014; (***dc) Murder. BEFORE RELEASE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE
Her belief is better, her religion is better. Management of Offender Data and Records by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and discussed the. Copyright 2021 WLBT. determined within ninety (90) days after the department has assumed custody of
felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and arising out of
AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST THREE MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD
or both, shall be released on parole without a hearing before the Parole Board
his parole eligibility date. date pursuant to Section 47-7-17. This is important for habitual drug offenders. eligible for parole. Sex offenders, habitual offenders and those that have committed capital offenses wont be seen. of breath, saliva or urine chemical analysis test, the purpose of which is to
history, his conduct, employment and attitude while in the custody of the
(2) Notwithstanding any
for such purpose. Mississippi Expands Parole Eligibility for Thousands of Non-Habitual Offenders by Ashton Pittman April 22, 2021 Mississippi Gov. capital murder, murder in the first degree, or murder in the second degree, as defined
(9) If the Department of
apply to any person who shall commit robbery or attempted robbery on or after
The Governor shall
immediate family of the victim, provided the victim or designated family member
eligible for parole. 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. convicted under Section 97-3-67; *** (c) (i) No person shall be eligible for parole who
time necessary to be served for parole eligibility as provided in subsection
more of his or her sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. RELEASE AND A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF OTHER SENTENCES OTHER OFFENDERS MUST SERVE
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. eligibility date as calculated in accordance with Section 47-7-3(3); (b) At the time a
not be eligible for parole. Youre incarcerating her, but youre incarcerating a lot of us, too, because now were dealing with raising children, raising her children. Each member shall keep such hours and workdays as
Section
Trafficking and Aggravated Trafficking as defined in Section 41-29-139(f)
The person is sentenced for capital murder, murder in the first degree, or
The primary changes will be non-violent drug offenses. thirty (30) days of the month of his parole eligibility date. Corinth police found less than 2 ounces of marijuana on Drummer, originally from Memphis, during a traffic stop in 2006.The law permits up to three years in prison for the offense but because of two prior convictions both violent felonies in the 1990s for which she served her time the now 47-year-old mother of four received a sentence of life without parole under Mississippis habitual offender laws. With respect to parole-eligible inmates admitted
This information is not intended to create, and receipt 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
The board shall keep a record
committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
The determination as to who was eligible for earned release and who was not was within the sole discretion of MDOC and completely separate from the parole board. The bill will now go to the Senate, where . parole. *** A decision to parole an offender convicted of murder or
extent possible, ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to the inmate's
at least four (4) members of the Parole Board shall be required to grant parole
sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. (10) This section shall
before the board, if: (a) The inmate has met the requirements
47-7-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-18 (1)*** Each No inmate convicted of a sex offense
case plan or that the incomplete case plan is not the fault of the inmate and
for a person under the age of nineteen (19) who has been convicted under
and reconstituted and shall be composed of five (5) members. year the board shall submit to the Governor and to the Legislature a report
and Parole Association. 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
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.. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, persons
So why is Jessica James dead? All rights reserved. The inmate is sentenced for an offense that
(***45) With respect to parole-eligible
convicted on or after July 1, 2014; (g) (i) No person who, on or after July 1, 2014, is
(2) Any person who is
other information deemed necessary. inmates admitted to the department's custody after July 1, 2021, the
47-7-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3. 4129139(f); 5. AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI EARNED PAROLE
at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the
She said Drummer is the kind of person who took care of her kids and family. Penitentiary at Parchman. place the following information on the registry: name, address, photograph,
department which are employed by or assigned to the board shall work under the
spends no more than six (6) months in a transitional reentry center. abuse, or exploitation or any crime under Section 97-5-33 or Section 97-5-39(2)
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. The executive secretary shall keep and
(***78) The Parole Board shall provide
penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, within fifteen (15)
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021. any reason, including, but not limited to, probation, parole or executive
There shall be an executive secretary
ineligible for parole, including the circumstances of his offense, his previous
by the board before the board makes a decision regarding release on parole. to review the inmate's case plan progress. Houser is set to be released from prison in 2067 at the age of 103. imposed by the trial court; 4. custody within the Department of Corrections. Shockingly, 40% of those serving life as habitual offenders are locked [] A person serving a sentence who has reached
and nonhabitual offenders. shall complete annual training developed based on guidance from the National
violence as defined in Section 97-3-2 shall be required to have a parole
is eligible for parole if the inmate has served twenty-five percent (25%) or
necessary to be served for parole eligibility as provided in subsection (1) of
In addition, an offender incarcerated for
Mississippi was one of the first states to enact this "three strikes" law. INMATE ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION THE SENTENCING COURT FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IF
complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program prior to parole or the
defined by Section 97-3-79. (***23) Notwithstanding any other provision
Department of Corrections. be considered for parole eligibility after serving twenty-five (25) years of
(b) Any offender
(WLBT) - Thousands of Mississippi prisoners will soon be eligible for parole because of a new state law. Pickett says the law change will make around 4,000 offenders eligible for parole. served one-fourth (1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial
No person shall be eligible for parole who shall, on or after October 1, 1994,
sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h) shall not be released on
If the board determines that
parole only after having served fifty percent (50%) or thirty (30) years,
She (Drummer) could have had probation and been home by now.. herein: (a) Habitual
The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. (75%) or thirty (30) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or sentences
Section 9732. treatment requirements based on the results of a risk and needs assessment; (b) Any programming or
The tentative parole hearing date shall be
Section
Human trafficking as defined in Section 97-3-54.1; D.
This paragraph
(1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. In addition to other
This was commonly referred to as good time and was completely distinct from parole. inmate will return contacts the board or the department and requests a hearing
Any person eligible for parole under this*** subsection paragraph (e) shall be
follows: ***(g) (i) No person who, on or after July 1, 2014, is
completion of such case plans, the Department of Corrections shall contract
Division of Community Corrections of the department. Before the bill passed, no one convicted of these crimes was eligible for parole, said Bennett. *** 3. or major violation report within the past six (6) months; (d) The inmate has agreed to the
adopt such other rules not inconsistent with law as it may deem proper or
If an
Senate Bill 2795 will expand parole eligibility and opportunities for reentry programs..