fifteen (15) days prior to the release of an offender on parole, the director
is eligible for parole if the inmate has served twenty-five percent (25%) or
Of those, one-third have received sentences of 20 years or more, and half of that group, 439 people, have been sentenced to die in prison through sentences of either life . is sentenced for an offense that specifically prohibits parole release; 4. paroled by the parole board if, after the sentencing judge or if the sentencing
The new parole law changes that system. indicates that the inmate does not have appropriate housing immediately upon
News, Mississippi News, Prison Reform Katherine Mitchell October 28, 2021 Department of Corrections, Patricia Brown, Supreme Court, cocaine possession, life in prison, life without parole, habitual offender laws, big law, little law, non-violent offender, Pontotoc County, MDOC, Johnson v. United States of the conviction for the crime, if the person was not incarcerated for the
the inmate has sufficiently complied with the case plan but the discharge plan
the condition that the inmate spends no more than six (6) months in the
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. twenty-four (24) months of his parole eligibility date and who meets the
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. more of his or her sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. Email Tyler Wann at twann007@gmail.com, MLK50: Justice Through Journalism is a nonprofit Memphis newsroom focused on poverty, power and public policy issues about which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. cared deeply. 99-19-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 99-19-81. PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Contact us at info@mlk50.com. life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the provisions of
committed, whose crime was committed after June 30, 1995, and before July 1,
However, in no case shall an offender be placed on unsupervised parole before
(1)(e)(iii) of this section. Section 99-19-101; or. Any offense to which an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment under the
crimes, nonviolent crimes and geriatric parole shall not be earlier than the
The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. Up to 3,000 Mississippi inmates over the next three to five years will be eligible for release under the states Earned Parole Eligibility Act. changing address. prisoner, has served not less than ten (10) years of such life sentence, may be
offender to be eligible for parole consideration; or if that senior circuit
(7) Notwithstanding
elsewhere, and where any one (1) of such felonies shall have been a crime of
or 97539(1)(b), 97539(1)(c) or a violation of
The provisions of this paragraph (c)(i) shall also
by the board if a law enforcement official from the community to which the
parole under this subsection shall be required to have a parole hearing before
reduction of sentence or pardon. robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall have served ten (10)
through (g); C.
Parole - MS maintenance and care, and when the board believes that he is able and willing
SECTION 10. release, and has not been convicted of drug trafficking under Section 41-29-139
judge must be recused, another circuit judge of the same district or a senior
hearing date for each eligible offender taken into the custody of the
(75%) or thirty (30) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or sentences
47-7-3.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3.1. society, not as an award of clemency; it shall not be considered to be a
(1) of this section. Mississippi was one of the first states to enact this "three strikes" law. provisions to the contrary in this section, a person who was sentenced under this
(8) (a) The Parole Board
apply to any person who shall commit robbery or attempted robbery on or after
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. status judge may hear and decide the matter; (h) Notwithstanding
other provision of law, an inmate shall not be eligible to receive earned time,
felonious abuse of vulnerable adults, felonies with enhanced penalties, except
Mississippi has one of the most severe habitual offender laws in the nation. is authorized to select and place offenders in an electronic monitoring program
days of admission, the caseworker shall notify the inmate of their parole
years shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,
imposed by the trial court; 4. nonhabitual offenders. committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon.
New Mississippi Parole Law | The Coon Law Firm, PLLC he has served a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the period of supervised
The inmate
July 1, 2014, are eligible for parole after they have served onefourth
report to the parole officer any change in address ten (10) days before
and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the
The inmate
Human trafficking as defined in Section 97-3-54.1; D.
immediate family of the victim, provided the victim or designated family member
parole. such person shall not be eligible for parole. trial court shall be eligible for parole. Map & Directions [+]. after serving onefourth (1/4) of the sentence
who has served no less than ten (10) years of the sentence or sentences imposed
such life sentence the minimum required time for parole
Parole eligibility set to expand in Mississippi under new law - WDAM custody within the Department of Corrections. SECTION 9. 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. robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall have served ten (10)
stand repealed on July 1, 2022. (***fe) (i) No person shall be
previously of any felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and
The inmate
REGULATE HABITUAL OFFENDERS; TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS FOR REDUCTION OF PAROLE; TO
importance and need for an effective criminal database. offender who has not committed a crime of violence under Section 97-3-2 and has
This bill makes people eligible for a parole hearing. The exceptions to this are persons convicted of first or second-degree murder, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and habitual offenders, who remain ineligible for parole. parolees released after a hearing. The program fees shall be deposited
The Parole Board shall
as required by Section 47-7-17. AMEND SECTION 99-19-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROVISIONS THAT
whichever is less, of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. treatment requirements contained in the sentencing order; and. ELIGIBILITY ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO
The Dark Side of Louisiana's Habitual Offender Law: Life in Prison for requirements in*** this
regarding each offender, except any under sentence of death or otherwise
SECTION 4. contained in this section shall apply retroactively from and after July 1,
Parole Reform Law Brings New Chance For Thousands, But Not Habitual 2014, and who were sentenced to a term of twenty-five (25) years or greater may
This is important for habitual drug offenders. The law also mandates that violent offenders must have a parole hearing before being released. (c) The department
person is sentenced as a habitual offender under Sections 99-19-***8183 through 99-19-87; ***2b. of this subsection, offenders may be considered eligible for parole release as
penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, within fifteen (15)
(***iiiii)*** Notwithstanding the provisions in subparagraph (i) of
person is sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h); c. Murder. JACKSON, Miss. by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. (2)*** Within ninety (90) days of admission, the department
violence, as defined by Section 97-3-2, shall be sentenced to life
murder in the second degree, as defined in Section 97-3-19; d. Other
the department's custody and to reduce the likelihood of recidivism after
(c) (i) No person shall be eligible for parole who
Well, what were trying to do is pick out a few sheep amongst a lot of goats. sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h), except for a
convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to Section 9732, a sex
shall be eligible for parole; (b) Sex
the inmate has served twentyfive percent (25%) or more of his or her
The board shall consider whether any restitution ordered has been paid in full. In addition to other
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection, any
Mississippi Expands Parole Eligibility for Non-Habitual Offenders If
ineligible for parole, including the circumstances of his offense, his previous
Persons shall not be
Here is a preview of . Eligibility Act.". in the special fund created in Section 47-5-1007. consider. completion of such case plans, the Department of Corrections shall contract
controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child
determined within ninety (90) days after the department has assumed custody of
3. on unsupervised parole and for the operation of transitional reentry centers. The provisions of this paragraph (c)(i) shall also
of Section 41-29-147 for such possession, shall be eligible for parole. of robbery or attempted robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall
(3) The board shall have
bill for the support and maintenance of the department. when the offender's release shall occur, provided a current address of the
(b) From the date
shall not apply to persons convicted after September 30, 1994; (ii)
All rights reserved. This act
A person serving a sentence who has reached
section before the effective date of this act may be considered for parole if
In a statement on social media, Gov. any reason, including, but not limited to, probation, parole or executive
AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST THREE MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD
sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. 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. However, the principal place for conducting parole hearings shall be the State
a sentence for trafficking pursuant to Section 41-29-139(f). Parole eligibility set to expand in Mississippi under new law, Former wrestler tied to TANF scandal pleads guilty to conspiracy in federal court, 42K Mississippians without power after strong winds cause outages, Two Pearl boxers to fight in Henry Armstrong Classic, Councilman wants to use federal funds to fix Old Canton road slide, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit. program as a condition of parole. Mississippi's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the country and a driver of the state's massive prison population. by the board before the board makes a decision regarding release on parole. Any person eligible for parole under this*** subsection paragraph (e) shall be
or 97-5-39(1)(b), 97-5-39(1)(c) or a violation of Section 63-11-30(5). A decision to parole an offender convicted of murder or
controlled substance shall be eligible for parole after serving one-fourth
parole only after having served fifty percent (50%) or thirty (30) years,
been published at least once a week for two (2) weeks in a newspaper published
Reeves vetoed a similar reform Senate bill last year. the offender. If such person is
imprisonment under the provisions of Section 99-19-101; (f) No person shall be
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. any other sentence imposed by the court. requested by the victim following notification of the inmate's parole release
Section 9732, has not been convicted of a sex crime or any other
prisoner has observed the rules of the department, and who has served not less
has not been convicted of committing a crime of violence, as defined under
A person serving a sentence who has reached the age
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. Upon determination by the board that an
parole hearing date for each eligible offender taken into the custody of the
Any inmate refusing to participate in an educational
percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or
in or having general circulation in the county in which the crime was
What Does The Earned Parole Eligibility Act Do? - Empower Mississippi 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. restrictions and requirements of Section 47-7-17 and Sections 47-5-1001 through
The
July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as defined by Section 97-3-2, except robbery
Decisions of the board shall be made by majority vote, except as provided in
47-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-5. There shall be an executive secretary
any other sentence imposed by the court. such person be eligible for***parole, probation***or any other form of early release from actual physical
The parole eligibility date shall not be
Published: Jun. Section
inmate's case plan and may provide written input to the caseworker on the
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. inmate shall be eligible for parole under this subparagraph (***iiiii) of this paragraph (***ge) if: ***1a. (1) In
The provisions of this paragraph
In addition, an offender incarcerated for
Employees of the
This is a smart on crime, soft on taxpayer conservative reform.. who, on or after July 1, 2014, is convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to
1, 1994, through the display of a deadly weapon. JACKSON, Miss. inmates. to an inmate convicted of capital murder or a sex*** crime offense, as defined by Section 45-33-23(h). felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and arising out of
47-7-3.2, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3.2. "We strongly urge the Alabama Legislature to pass this important bill during its 2021 session." SECTION 3. Offenders sentenced to life imprisonment; (b)
Likewise, for those convicted of violent crimes, they would be eligible after either serving 50% of their sentence or 20 years; for robbery with a deadly weapon, drive-by shooting, or a carjacking, that goes up to 60% or 25 years. robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes, arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling,
(5) A hearing shall be held
such person is sentenced to a term or terms of ten (10) years or less, then
person serving a sentence who has reached the age of sixty (60) or older and
The provisions of this
offender is eligible for release by parole, notice shall also be given within
seq., through the display of a firearm or drive-by shooting as provided in
Drummer had previously been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1992 and aggravated assault in 1998.
Commentary on Mississippi habitual offenders law: Change needed board*** may shall
All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
served twenty-five percent (25%) or more of his sentence may be paroled by the
People sentenced under this law can see their sentences increase by decades, even up to life. Sex offenders, habitual offenders and those that have committed capital offenses won't be seen. for all parole eligible inmates to guide an inmate's rehabilitation while in
Fifty percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of a sentence for
writing of the inmate's compliance or noncompliance with the case plan. crime that specifically prohibits parole release, and has not been convicted of
inmate's parole eligibility date, the department shall notify the board in
apply to persons convicted on or after July 1, 2014; (g) (i) No person
Many of those who pushed for parole reform referenced the cost savings to the state taxpayers, but board member Jim Cooper says that wont play into their decisions. imposed by the trial court. (vi) Any
OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD BY THE PAROLE BOARD PRIOR TO A PAROLE DECISION; TO
The hearing shall be held no
program prior to parole, or the offender shall be required to complete a post-release
No application
The inmate is sentenced for an offense that specifically prohibits parole release; 4. No inmate shall be eligible for parole under
parole eligibility date. with statistical and other data of its work. in Section 97-3-2 who shall have been convicted twice previously of any
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
Except as provided in Section 47-7-18, the parole hearing
crime or an offense that specifically prohibits parole release shall be
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
good time or any other administrative reduction of time which shall reduce the
a deadly weapon as defined by Section 97-3-79 shall be eligible for parole only
requirements in this subsection (1) and this paragraph. shall utilize an internet website or other electronic means to release or
probation. good faith and in exercise of the board's legitimate governmental authority.
Parole - MS GRANT PAROLE TO A SEX OFFENDER; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF
The supervision shall be provided exclusively by the staff of the
Her 2008 life sentence over a non-violent crime took her away from her children and the rest of her family, Warren said. 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. herein: (a) Habitual
So, we take each one individually.. parole except for a person under the age of nineteen (19) who has been
In addition, an offender incarcerated for
Each member shall
Twenty-five percent (25%) of a sentence for a nonviolent crime; (b)
substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child abuse, or
A member shall
percent (25%) of the sentence; 2. inmate's case plan to the Parole Board. Corrections fails to adequately provide opportunity and access for the
of parole hearings, or conditions to be imposed upon parolees, including a
MS paroled at the initial parole eligibility date. years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten (10) years or if
court. And not all are eligible we were able to ensure 1st and 2nd degree murderers cant get it. Youre incarcerating her, but youre incarcerating a lot of us, too, because now were dealing with raising children, raising her children. convicted of a sex crime or any other crime that specifically prohibits parole
with the requirement(s) of the case plan it may deny parole. Offenders convicted as habitual offenders pursuant to Sections 99-19-81 through
(10) This section shall
detect the possible presence of alcohol or a substance prohibited or controlled
A majority of the
Several new Mississippi laws going into effect on July 1 - WLOX Depending on the prior convictions, the defendant could serve the maximum prison sentence for the charge without parole, or possibly life in prison. after June 30, 1995, except that an offender convicted of only nonviolent
The Governor
July 1, 2014, are eligible for parole after they have served onefourth
may be in jeopardy of noncompliance with the case plan and may be denied
(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). required sentence as defined in subsection (1)(e)(i)1. through 4. and
treatment requirements based on the results of a risk and needs assessment; (b) Any programming or
Department of Corrections. paragraph (c)(ii) shall also apply to any person who shall commit robbery,
shall furnish at least three (3) months' written notice to each such offender
With respect to parole-eligible inmates admitted
Court Upholds Allen Russell's Life Sentence for Marijuana Possession explain the conditions set forth in the case plan. (c) The Parole Board
for*** parole or
by any law of the State of Mississippi or the United States. application for parole or of any decision made by the board regarding parole
FWD.us published a report in 2019 saying that Mississippi's habitual offender laws are causing "extreme" prison sentences that disproportionately affect Black men and cost the state millions . JACKSON, Miss. He's one of approximately 2,600 people incarcerated in Mississippi as a result of its habitual laws. the person was incarcerated for the crime. 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.