On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB157, allowing incarcerated individuals to attend their parole hearings virtually.
Under existing law, incarcerated individuals cannot attend their parole hearings. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike, said that the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections would have the authority to allow other parties to participate via telecommunication as well. An inmate also holds the ability to waive the right to appear before the board altogether.
The bill stalled in a House committee last year when substantial modifications were proposed for the legislation. Barfoot said that these changes were addressed in this session’s version of the bill.
Last year, Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, proposed an amendment that would permit the parole board to exclude parole applicants if they think it would affect the present victims. The victim, the victim’s family and others representing the victim have the option to hear or see the inmate’s statement. Inmates will not be able to hear, see or otherwise interact with victims, victims’ families or crime victim advocates unless the victim or victim’s family allows it.
Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, inquired if individuals could attend their parole hearings in person, attributing the weight it would carry to have them physically in the room. Barfoot said, procedurally and logistically, that caveat would kill the bill.
The bill will now return to the Senate for consideration.
