Rules Regs Procedures

These Operating Procedures guide the Board and its staff in performing duties imposed by law. These Procedures are published in order to aid the public in sharing the Board’s understanding of applicable statutes and in order to afford notice to the public of the Board’s interpretation of those statutes.

Adoption of these Procedures repealed all other procedural rules regulating the Board’s operations. In order to afford notice to the public of the procedures followed by this Board, these Procedures are hereby published for the information of interested individuals.

These Operating Procedures specifically afford notice to the public of the steps necessary to present a case to the Board for decision. These Procedures are designed to guide the Board’s staff in preparing cases for the Board’s consideration. To the extent that the Board may lawfully delegate discretion to its staff, these Procedures guide the staff in exercising their discretion. The Board’s staff will exercise that discretion to benefit the public in general, but these Procedures do not create a duty owed to any individual. The staff is accountable to the Board, rather than to any individual.

The Executive Director and Senior Staff are authorized to develop standard operating procedure manuals, providing more detailed guidance to employees about the performance of their duties. Such manuals shall guide the employees as they perform the various duties assigned to them.

Nothing in these Procedures shall be construed to conflict with the Constitution or laws of Alabama.

These Operating Procedures are not intended to, and do not, create any substantive legal rights for any person. Nothing in these Procedures shall be construed to create or recognize any liberty or property interest in an inmate’s desire to be paroled. This Board construes the statutes regulating pardons and paroles in Alabama as demonstrating a clear legislative intent not to create such an entitlement.

The staff of this department is authorized to develop standard forms to document the official acts of this department, including forms for inmates, parolees, or the public to use in seeking action by the Board. Any employee developing a form shall submit it to the Executive Director and the Chief Counsel for their approval. Any form approved by these two individuals jointly may be used, without seeking an Order from the Board approving the form.

The Board is open for business from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on regular business days of State government. The Board normally meets in the Central Office Board Room. The Board convenes at those dates, times and locations pursuant to notice given to the Secretary of State’s Office, or as soon thereafter as a quorum may be assembled.

Article One

Intake

1. As soon as practical after an inmate is sentenced to prison, the Central Office staff shall prepare a file on the case. The appropriate field office(s) will be directed to forward a copy of any investigations to the Central Office. If no investigation has been done at that point, the field office shall conduct its investigation and submit its report. When the appropriate investigations are in the file, the Board’s designee shall study the file and schedule an initial parole consideration docket. There shall be no presumption that the Board will grant parole based on the setting of an initial parole consideration date.

2. A staff member designated by the Board shall also determine whether the investigation report is sufficient for Board action. If significant information is lacking, this designee shall direct the field office to provide further information.

3. A majority of the Board may lawfully grant parole after the inmate has served one third of his sentence or ten years, whichever is lesser. The Board, after conviction and not otherwise, may parole a prisoner upon the unanimous affirmative vote of the Board prior to a prisoner serving one third or ten years of his sentence.

4. Initial parole consideration dates shall be calculated based on the date at which a majority of the Board may act, taking into account the total term of the inmate’s sentences. If an inmate is serving one or more sentences, the designee shall calculate one third or ten years of each sentence with any applicable jail credits as indicated by the Department of Corrections. The controlling sentence shall be the longest running sentence as determined by the Department of Corrections.

5. The Board’s designee shall also determine whether correctional incentive time has been applied by the Department of Corrections to the controlling sentence. If correctional incentive time is applied, that fact shall be taken into account in scheduling the initial parole consideration date.

6. If an inmate’s controlling sentence is for five (5) years or less, regardless of correctional incentive time application, initial parole consideration shall be scheduled on the Board’s current docket.

7. If an inmate is receiving correctional incentive time, as indicated by the Department of Corrections, on his/her controlling sentence, initial parole consideration shall be scheduled as follows: (a) for terms of five years or less, inmates shall be scheduled for initial parole consideration on the current docket; (b) for terms over five to ten years, inmates shall be scheduled for initial parole consideration approximately twelve months prior to the minimum release date; (c) for terms of more than ten years and up to fifteen years, inmates shall be scheduled for initial parole consideration approximately twenty-four months prior to the minimum release date; (d) for total terms in excess of fifteen years, inmates shall be scheduled for initial parole consideration approximately thirty-six months prior to the minimum release date. The Board recognizes that most inmates convicted of particularly violent or severe offenses, or those with extensive criminal histories, displaying a great propensity for future violence, or with significant community opposition are unlikely to receive a sentence subject to this provision.

8. If the controlling sentence is not subject to correctional incentive time as indicated by the Department of Corrections, initial parole consideration shall be scheduled after the inmate will become eligible for release by majority vote (after the inmate has served one third or ten years, whichever is lesser on his/her controlling sentence), unless the Board’s designee finds other factors that indicate another docket would be more appropriate. In assessing the suitability of the majority vote set, the designee will examine the offender’s prior record, the nature and severity of the present offense, the potential for future violence, and any information available regarding community attitude toward the offender.

9. Excluding those crimes committed prior to March 21, 2001, when an inmate is convicted of one or more of the following Class A felonies, the initial parole consideration date shall be set in conjunction with the inmate’s completion of eighty-five (85) per cent of his or her total sentence or fifteen (15) years, whichever is less, unless the designee finds mitigating circumstances: Rape I, Kidnapping I, Murder, Attempted Murder, Sodomy I, and Sexual Torture; Robbery I with serious physical injury, Burglary I with serious physical injury, and Arson I with serious physical injury. Serious physical injury in this paragraph is as defined in title 13A-1-2(14) of the Alabama Code.

10. If the designee finds mitigating circumstances that appear to warrant a deviation from the standard set, the designee shall document those circumstances, together with a recommendation for scheduling of consideration. In assessing the suitability of the standard set, the designee will examine the offender’s prior record, the nature and severity of the present offense, the potential for future violence, and any information available regarding community attitude toward the offender. Any recommendation by the designee scheduling initial parole consideration, so as to schedule such consideration earlier or later than the standard set date, shall be supported by a memorandum setting forth the factors considered and the reasons for the deviation. This memorandum shall be placed in the file for the consideration of the Review Committee and the Board. The Review Committee shall schedule initial parole consideration in cases where the designee has recommended a deviation.

11. If an inmate is sentenced under the Split Sentence Act, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider parole. If the inmate is serving a split sentence and one or more other non-split sentences, the Board may exercise jurisdiction only over those other sentences.

12. If an inmate is serving two or more sentences, and the law authorizes parole consideration on some, but not all of his sentences, then he/she shall be scheduled for parole consideration on those sentences over which the Board has jurisdiction.

Article Two

Rescheduling of Consideration

1. After an inmate has served a minimum of five (5) years, he/she or someone on the inmate’s behalf may request once per calendar year with designated officers in the Board’s Central Office to review the inmate’s progress to determine whether it may be appropriate to schedule earlier parole consideration. Such a rescheduling may be granted only for good cause shown and circumstances bearing on his probability to succeed on parole, not merely because the inmate is following the rules in prison. If, after appropriate inquiry or investigation, the officer or agent is persuaded that earlier consideration may be proper, he/she may refer the matter to the Review Committee for consideration. He/she shall enter in the file the facts supporting his/her recommendation. The inmate will be notified only if their parole consideration date is changed.

2. Cases involving medically infirm inmates may be referred to the Review Committee at any time unless the inmate is ineligible for parole based on his sentence or conviction.

3. The Review Committee shall consist of no fewer than five (5) members designated by the Executive Director. Three (3) members constitute a panel. The members shall be senior staff or employees of the central office. The panel must consist of at least one member who has five (5) or more years of experience.

4. The Review Committee may review any cases referred to them for earlier parole consideration and determine whether it appears to be consistent with society’s interest to schedule earlier parole consideration. If at least three (3) Committee members reviewing a case concur in the action, they may reschedule parole consideration earlier than the parole consideration date previously set. They shall enter into the file a written statement of the action taken and shall indicate the names of the Committee members who favored or declined to favor the action. The Review Committee’s actions shall take effect immediately.

5. The Executive Director or the Chief Counsel or his/her designee may refer any case to the Review Committee to consider whether rescheduling of consideration is appropriate, notwithstanding any other provision in these Operating Procedures.

6. The Review Committee shall not review any case after the Board has denied or revoked parole on the sentences being served, except as provided herein.

7. If the Board has denied or revoked parole, the Committee may consider earlier scheduling, but such review shall not begin earlier than eighteen (18) months after the Board has denied or revoked parole.

Article Three

Dockets

1. The Board will not consider or decide whether to order or grant any pardon, parole, conditional transfer or remission, except in an open public meeting. The Board will not entertain any case, unless that case is on the Board’s docket for that meeting, as provided herein. Individual Board members will not meet or discuss with any person(s) other than departmental staff regarding any specific Board action outside an open public meeting.

2. The docket unit shall schedule cases in advance of the meeting, so as to permit statutory notices to be sent and received, in the normal course of business, pursuant to Alabama Title 15-22-23(2) for non-victim cases and Alabama Title 15-22-36(d) for victim cases.

3. Once the docket unit sets an open public meeting date for an inmate, a designated officer will interview the inmate and submit a report prior to the open public meeting date. The parole officer conducting the interview shall review the institutional file to evaluate the inmate’s adjustment, and shall afford the inmate an opportunity to make a statement regarding his current situation and his proposed plans for life after prison. The parole officer shall provide a form to the inmate, so that he may submit information about his home and job plan.

4. In advance of each docketed meeting, a docket and files of the docketed cases shall be available to the members of the Board, so they can study those files in preparation for that meeting. Each week’s docket shall be available to the public upon request.

5. as the Board considers each case and takes action, their Secretary shall note on the Docket whether the relief is ordered or denied. If, at the conclusion of the day's meeting, the Board has not ordered relief to any candidate or the case has not been continued, the relief is deemed denied. A completed copy of the Docket, reflecting the actions taken, shall be included in the Board's Minutes for the meeting. The Minutes of each open public meeting shall be read and approved by the sitting Board members at the conclusion of that meeting. Each member in attendance and the Secretary for the meeting shall sign the Minute Entries, reflecting the actions taken in that meeting. The Board's Minute Books are a public record.

6. When the Board denies relief without specifying when a case may be docketed, it will be rescheduled at the discretion of the Board’s designee.

Article Four

Notice of Hearings

1. Sections 15-22-23 and 15-22-36 of the Alabama Code specify under what circumstances and which cases require the Board to provide notice to particular public officials and/or individuals of meetings at which the Board considers and takes action to grant pardons, paroles, conditional transfers or remissions. As of January 1, 2012, victims will be required to register through the automated notification system [www.victims.alabama.gov] or by contacting the Board to receive notice in order to be entitled to notice.

2. All notice will be provided electronically through the automated notification system unless otherwise specifically requested and as permitted by law. U.S. Mail and U.S. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, notifications will only be provided by the Board upon request to the victim named in the indictment or, in the case of a homicide where the victim is deceased as a result of the offense, to the victim’s immediate family as defined in these rules. Requesting individuals must qualify for such notice under Alabama Code Section 15-22-36(e)(1)(a – i).

3. The Board’s Probation and Parole Officer assigned to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report must register the contact information of the victim named in the indictment into the automated notification system prior to sentencing if such information is made available by the prosecuting district attorney. If a surviving victim is a minor, information for custodial parents or legal guardians, if any, shall be entered into the automated notification system at that time, if made available. For homicide cases where the victim is deceased as a result of the offense, contact information for the immediate family (as defined by these rules) shall be entered into the automated notification system at that time, if made available.

4. These rules define the “immediate family” of a victim as follows:

If the victim is a minor at the time of death (as a result of the offense), his/her custodial parent(s) or legal guardians and any siblings are in his/her immediate family.

If the victim is married at the time of death (as a result of the offense), the surviving spouse is his/her immediate family, to the exclusion of his/her parent(s) and any siblings.

If minor children of the victim survive the victim (who is deceased as a result of the offense), they are in his/her immediate family.

If the victim is an adult at the time of his/her death (as a result of the offense), but is not married and leaves no children, and is survived by his/her parents, the parents are regarded as his/her immediate family.

In any other case, where a victim is deceased as the result of the offense, any relative of the victim will be considered the victim’s immediate family.

The members of the victim’s immediate family shall be identified as of the time of the victim’s death.

This definition of immediate family will be used to determine whether an individual is authorized to receive U.S. Mail or U.S. Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, upon request and will also be used in determining who the Board is required to locate by law in homicide cases, as well as who may appear before the Board in a homicide case as immediate family of the victim who is deceased as a result of an offense to present his/her views to the Board.

5. The Victims Unit of this agency shall have the primary responsibility for identifying and locating those individuals the Board is required by law to exercise due diligence to locate—victims of homicides, class A felonies, excluding Burglary I where no victim was present, and criminal sex offenses. The Victims Unit will inform victims of the importance the Board places on their concerns, as well as public safety. Upon locating a victim in those categories above, the Victims Unit shall register the most recent contact information of those victims located into the automated notification system. After such registration, the registered victim’s contact information must be kept current for future notifications, see Ala.Code§15-22-36(e)(2), which includes making use of the automated notification system (once the feature is available). See Ala.Code§15-22-36.2.

6. If the Board is required to exercise due diligence to locate a victim who is a minor, unless some other person or entity (including a State or public agency) is the legal guardian, the custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the minor will be located and the contact information of any parents or guardians located will be entered into the automated notification system. If, however, the victim was a minor at the time of the offense, but has attained majority, the victim will be located and the contact information of the victim will be entered into the automated notification system.

7. Any employee of this department assigned to identify and locate an individual shall document all steps taken. If the employee is unable to identify or locate a victim, or if it is not otherwise possible to notify a person the Board is required to locate, a “certificate of due diligence” shall be executed by an employee of the department certifying that the victim cannot be located and detailing the steps taken to locate the victim. The certificate of due diligence will become a part of the Board file and the Board will proceed with the hearing.

8. Victims who must be located, but decline to be registered in the automated system or notified via an available mode of notification will be certified as a due diligence case.

Article Five

Preliminary Review of Docketed Cases

1. After each consideration docket is prepared, a Board designee shall review each case on the docket and ensure that all necessary information and documents are in the file.

2. Before the Board may grant parole on any case the file shall contain a thorough statement of the offender’s personal and social history, his criminal history, the details of offense for each sentence under consideration, an assessment of his adjustment during the sentence, a proposed home and job program, and evidence that the statutory notices have been delivered or have been sent.

3. Members of the Board shall review the file individually. Any notes that a Board member may make in such review shall be for his private reference, and shall not be included in the department’s file pertaining to the case. No member of the Board will discuss any case or share his notes on the case with a colleague on the Board, prior to the meeting at which the matter is scheduled to be considered.

4. Any member of the Board may order an investigation of any matter that may bear on the Board’s decision.

5. Once a case is set for open public meeting the Board designee shall ensure that the proposed home and job program has been requested.

6. Prior to a paroled inmate’s release, a Board designee shall ensure that the proposed home and job program has been verified to be a satisfactory program.

Article Six

Board Action on Pardons, Paroles, Remissions of Fines and Forfeitures and Conditional Transfers

1. On the date set for consideration, the Board will convene its open public meeting at the appointed place, at the appointed time or as soon thereafter as practicable.

2. When the Board convenes its open public meeting to consider the matters on its docket, the bailiff shall notify all persons in the waiting rooms that the Board is convening to hear all business that may properly come before it, and that the meeting is open to the public.

3. The Board will consider each case on the docket in such order as the Board may direct.

4. All persons giving testimony before the Board shall testify under oath or affirmation.

5. The individuals asking the Board to grant relief will be afforded the first opportunity to state the reasons relief ought to be granted. The officials and individuals entitled to notice under the statute will next be afforded an opportunity to express their views. The Board may, in its discretion, permit any other person to offer information that might be helpful in making its decision. If any member of the Board sees a need to do so, the Board may recess while a member of the staff interviews an individual to determine whether that individual should be asked or allowed to testify. The Board may question any person appearing before them. If a member of the Board desires information from any person not present, the Board may recess while a member of the Board’s staff seeks to contact that person. Any and all information gathered from the person contacted by the Board’s staff member shall then be presented to the Board for consideration. In the event that the needed information cannot be obtained during the meeting, the Board shall decide whether to proceed without that information or to schedule another meeting.

6. The Board may recess to allow a member of the Board’s staff to gather any information necessary for the Board to make an informed decision. Any and all information gathered by the Board’s staff member shall then be presented to the Board for consideration. In the event that the needed information cannot be obtained during the meeting, the Board shall decide whether to proceed without that information or to schedule another meeting.

7. If any Board member desires, the Board may discuss the case before taking action. When the Board is prepared to take action, the members shall enter into the file their votes for or against the relief sought. Any member favoring the order of relief shall enter into the file a detailed written statement of the reasons that they believe the relief is proper.

8. If the requisite number of votes have been cast in favor of the relief that shall constitute an order for the relief, which shall become effective if not withdrawn by the Board in a timely manner.

9. If a quorum may grant relief and the Board members present are evenly divided the case shall be continued to a date certain and that date shall be announced in the open public meeting. The Secretary of the Board or a Board Member shall announce that the case will be taken up again at the appointed public meeting.

10. When each Board member has entered his or her vote, or declined to do so, the Secretary of the Board or a Board Member shall determine whether the requisite number of affirmative votes appears of record and that the record contains the detailed statements of each affirmative voting Board member’s reasons for ordering the relief and that the order is accurately executed including proper dates. If so, the Secretary of the Board or a Board Member shall announce that the Board has ordered the relief sought. If not, the Secretary of the Board or a Board Member shall announce that the relief has been denied.

11. If parole has been denied, the Board shall determine whether and when the case shall next be docketed for consideration, not to exceed five (5) years. The case will be considered again as near as practicable to the specified month and year.

12. If at any time a quorum is not present, the Board shall stand in recess until a quorum is present. If a quorum is not present at the end of the day, or if it becomes apparent that a quorum probably will not be present that day, all cases that have not been decided shall be rescheduled for further consideration as early as is practicable, consistent with statutory requirements.

13. If only two members of the Board are present to hear a case requiring unanimous approval, the Board may pass over that case to hear other cases on the docket, pending arrival of the remaining member. If the third member does not return that day, the Board may offer those present an opportunity to express their views, and the two members present may ask questions, but the two members shall not deliberate in the absence of the third member. The case shall be continued to a date certain, which shall be announced in open public meeting, at which time the entire Board will take action. In the event that the Board is unable to decide the case on the date specified, the case shall be rescheduled for further consideration as early as is practicable, consistent with statutory requirements.

Article Seven

Certification and Reconsideration

1. After the Board has entered an order of a pardon, parole, conditional transfer or remission, the Board’s Secretary shall review the file to ensure that the requisite number of affirmative votes appear of record and that the record contains the detailed statements of each affirmative voting member’s reasons for ordering the relief.

2. If, prior to the effect of the certificate of relief, good cause is found by Board staff that suggests the relief could be held null and void, such cause shall be documented and placed in the file and the case should be returned to the Board for rescheduling.

3. Any member of the Board may void his own vote to order relief prior to the effect of the certificate of relief. If any member of the Board voids his order for relief, the case shall be docketed for reconsideration. Those individuals registered to receive notice pursuant to §15-22-23 and §15-22-36 shall be afforded notice of the reconsideration meeting and those individuals who were provided an opportunity to express their views at the initial hearing will be afforded the opportunity to do so again. This meeting shall be scheduled as early as practicable. The order previously entered shall be stayed pending such reconsideration.

4. All official orders of the Board granting pardons, paroles, and/or restorations of civil and political rights, remissions of fines and forfeitures, and conditional transfers of prisoners shall be certified by the Executive Director, except as provided herein. In the absence of the Executive Director such certification shall be by his designee or by a member of the Board. The certificate shall bear the seal of this department as evidence that it represents the official act of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

5. If additional facts come to the attention of the Executive Director or his designee or any member of the Board, subsequent to execution of the certificate but prior to its taking effect, that could result in the grant being rescinded, such official may order, in writing, that the effective date of such certificate or the delivery of such certificate be stayed pending further review by each individual member of the Board who voted in the affirmative. A record of such information shall be entered into the file.

6. If, after each individual member of the Board who voted in the affirmative has reviewed such information as provided in section three (3) above, the record still contains the requisite number of votes favoring the order, the stay shall be vacated, and the certificate shall be delivered and become effective.

7. If an order to parole is withdrawn pursuant to this article, that case should be rescheduled for further consideration approximately twelve months after the order is withdrawn, unless the Board orders otherwise.

8. After the certificate is executed, notice of the action taken by the Board will be made through the automated notification system or by posting notice publicly on the agency website.

Article Eight

Pardons

1. Except as provided in the Alabama Code or in these rules, the procedure for deciding whether to grant a pardon shall be the same as the procedure for deciding whether to grant a parole.

2. No pardon application shall be considered, except at the request of the person whose conviction is at issue.

3. This Board will entertain petitions for pardon from convictions in the courts of the State of Alabama for violations of State law. The mayors of the respective municipalities in Alabama have jurisdiction to pardon violations of municipal ordinances. Convictions for violation of municipal ordinances are not considered to be criminal convictions. This Board will also entertain petitions for pardon from convictions in the courts of the United States or of other States, if the petitioner is, at the time of application and at the time of consideration, a resident of Alabama.

4. The procedures set out herein apply to applicants who have either completed their sentence or who have successfully served at least three years on parole for that sentence. All other cases are governed by specific statutory provisions.

5. The applicant must fully cooperate with this department’s investigation of his criminal history, his personal and social history, and the circumstances of the crime in question.

6. When the application and necessary investigations are complete, the case will be docketed for consideration. The general rules for docketing and notification apply.

7. If the Board grants a pardon, the Board will also decide whether to restore any or all civil and political rights lost as a result of the conviction. Civil and political rights are not restored unless the Board affirmatively votes to do so. As required by law, the members of the Board favoring the grant of relief shall enter in the file a detailed written statement of the reasons supporting that decision.

8. If the Board declines to grant a pardon, or to restore any or all civil and political rights, that applicant may not apply again until at least two years have passed from the date of the Board action, unless otherwise expressly ordered by the Board.

9. Any application for pardon prior to completion of sentence or three years of successful parole shall adhere to requirements of §15-22-36, to include written approval of the judge or district attorney

10. If the Board’s designee finds that the statutory jurisdictional requirements are met, the case will be docketed for the Board’s consideration. The general rules of procedure applicable to other cases apply to the meeting or meetings at which the Board considers such case. If the Board orders that the pardon be granted, the order will be made a matter of public record.

11. The pardon procedures will apply to a request for a Certificate of Eligibility to Register to Vote, except where superseded by Ala. Code 15-22-36.1. This code section specifies certain procedures and requirements that must be met, as a matter of law.

Article Nine

Remissions of Fines

1. The same general procedures followed for consideration of pardons or paroles shall apply to remissions of fines, except as specified herein.

2. This Board will exercise this power only in cases to which the State of Alabama is a party.

3. An individual seeking remission of a fine shall file an application on a form approved by this department. The application shall contain a short and plain statement of the reasons that the applicant believes it would be just for this Board to remit some or all of the fine imposed.

4. The applicant shall cooperate in this department’s investigation of the matter, and shall provide information about his personal, social and criminal history, and the details of the offense.

5. The investigating officer shall contact the sentencing judge and the district attorney or their successors and solicit their input.

6. When the Board deliberates, they shall consider whether to deny remission entirely, to remit a portion of the fine (and, if so, what portion), or to remit the entire fine. Unless a majority of the Board agrees to a specific grant of relief, all relief is denied. No offender shall be permitted to file a subsequent petition for remission in the same case after the Board decides his case.

7. If the Board agrees to grant a remission, each member of the Board favoring the grant shall enter into the file a detailed statement of his reasons for favoring such remission. The remission order shall specify what portion of the fine is remitted.

8. The Executive Director, or in his absence, his designee or a Board member shall issue a certificate, evidencing the Board’s order to remit some or all of the fine. The certificate shall plainly express the terms of the Board’s order.

Article Ten

Remissions of Forfeitures

1. The same general procedures followed for consideration of pardons or paroles shall apply to remissions of forfeitures, except as specified herein.

2. This Board will exercise this power only in cases to which the State of Alabama is a party.

3. An applicant for a remission of forfeiture shall file an application on a form approved by this department. The application shall contain a short and plain statement of the reasons the applicant believes it would be just for this Board to remit some or all of the forfeiture imposed.

4. No application will be considered unless the principal has been convicted of the underlying offense.

5. The Board will consider applications from the principal or the surety, with notice of the Board’s forfeiture remission hearing and action taken provided to both the principal and the surety. In making their application, applicants applying individually as the principal or the surety must provide up-to-date contact information for both the principal and surety to the department.

6. All parties shall cooperate in the department’s investigation of the matter, which will include the usual information about the applicant’s personal, social, and criminal history and the details of the offense, the investigation shall provide a clear picture of the applicant’s economic status.

7. The investigating officer shall contact the sentencing judge and the district attorney (or their successors) and solicit input.

8. The Board, in deliberating, shall consider whether to deny the remission entirely, to remit a portion of the forfeiture (and if so, what portion), or remit the entire forfeiture. Unless a majority of the Board agrees to a specific order of relief, all relief is denied. No applicant may submit a subsequent petition for relief on the same case after the Board makes its decision.

9. If the Board agrees to grant a remission, each member of the Board favoring the grant shall enter into the file a detailed statement of his or her reasons for favoring such remission. The remission order shall specify what portion of the forfeiture is remitted.

10. The Executive Director or, in his or her absence, his or her designee or a Board Member shall issue certificates, evidencing the Board’s Order to remit some of all of the forfeiture. The certificates shall plainly express the terms of the Board’s Order. The principal and the surety named in the forfeiture action shall each receive an original certificate, bearing the signature of the Executive Director or other designated officer and the seal of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Article Eleven

Parole Violations

1. The Board has, pursuant to law, appointed or designated officers to hold parole court and to determine the facts pertaining to alleged parole violations. These hearing officers are authorized to determine whether the parolee is guilty, as well as to determine whether there is probable cause to detain the parolee pending final resolution of the charges.

2. The Board prefers to have a single fact-finding hearing, at which the Hearing Officer will decide whether parole violation charges are proven or not, evidence in mitigation will be heard, and the Hearing Officer will determine whether it is appropriate to continue detaining the parolee pending the Board’s decision on revocation. However, the Hearing Officer may determine whether probable cause exists to detain the parolee, and continue the hearing until a later date for determination of guilt. The evidence taken at the preliminary hearing, if admissible, shall be considered in the determination of guilt. If there is no reasonable cause to detain the parolee pending further hearing, the Board shall be promptly so notified in writing.

3. The investigating parole officer shall provide the parolee with a copy of the Report or Notice containing the charges prior to or contemporaneously with notice of the date, time and place of Parole Court, whether the parolee is incarcerated or not. If the parolee is not incarcerated, the parole officer may deliver these documents by U.S. mail, addressed to the parolee’s address of record (as reflected in the parole officer’s supervision notes). The officer serving these papers shall return a written certificate of service to the Parole Court.

4. The Hearing Officer may accept a knowing, intelligent guilty plea to parole violation charges. Before doing so, he shall ensure that the parolee is aware of the specific charges, and understands the rights he waives by entering such plea. The Hearing Officer shall not accept a guilty plea unless the parolee does, in fact, acknowledge that he violated the conditions of parole. The Hearing Officer shall document the facts admitted by the parolee.

5. The parolee is responsible for notifying his counsel and his witnesses of the date, time and place of the Parole Court hearing. He is also responsible for forwarding a copy of the charges to his counsel. The parole officer is not forbidden from contacting counsel or witnesses as a courtesy to the parolee, nor is the parole officer prohibited from providing copies of the charges or other documents pertaining to Parole Court to the parolee’s counsel. Papers will be served on the parolee, either by personal service or by mail to ensure that he has received reasonable notice of the charges and the proceedings.

6. The Parole Court hearing officer may exercise reasonable discretion if any party or witness requests a continuance of a hearing. The entire hearing may be rescheduled, or the Parole Court may hear such evidence as is available and continue the hearing for further evidence, as may best serve the ends of justice. If the parolee requests a continuance and the continuance is denied, the Parole Court should enter the request and stated grounds in the record. The Parole Court should also state the reasons for denying the request.

7. The Hearing Officer shall preside over the hearing and govern its conduct. The Hearing Officer shall ensure that the record accurately reflects all necessary notices and that the record accurately reflects compliance with all procedural safeguards. A Probation and Parole Officer shall present the case of the alleged parole violations. The parolee shall be allowed to cross-examine witnesses accusing him, unless the Hearing Officer specifically finds good cause to believe the witness would be endangered by confrontation. If confrontation is disallowed, the Hearing Officer will make reasonable efforts to balance the parolee’s need for cross-examination. The parolee shall be allowed to present evidence in his own defense, either personally or through counsel. The parolee’s witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination. The Hearing Officer may question any witness, and should permit each side to ask follow-up questions.

8. The investigating parole officer shall present the evidence supporting the parole violation charges. The parole officer shall question any witnesses other than himself. The parole officer may testify in narrative format if he is a competent witness as to any issue. The parole officer may also question witnesses testifying in the parolee’s defense. All witnesses against the parolee are subject to cross-examination. The Parole Court may exercise reasonable discretion in deciding whether to question witnesses, in order to arrive at the truth. The Parole Court may exercise reasonable discretion to disallow any question that seeks to elicit information not pertinent to the issues, or which tends to be abusive. The Parole Court should include in the record any questions disallowed and the reasons for the ruling.

9. For purposes of determining whether probable cause exists, the Hearing Officer may consider any relevant information, including hearsay. For purposes of determining guilt, the Hearing Officer shall consider any evidence that would be admissible under either the Alabama Rules of Evidence or the Federal Rules of Evidence. The Hearing Officer may also consider any other evidence that appears to be reliable and probative. Commonly accepted treatises on evidence, including Gamble’s, McElroy’s, Wigmore’s and McCormick’s, should be considered persuasive authority for admission of evidence. If the Hearing Officer relies on evidence that does not appear to be admissible under the rules of evidence, the Hearing Officer should explain the reasons that he considers it to be reliable.

10. The Parole Court shall allow the parolee great leeway in presenting information that may be considered as mitigating circumstances. For purposes of mitigation, the Hearing Officer shall consider any information offered by the parolee. Any objections shall go to the weight of the evidence, not to its admissibility.

11. The Hearing Officer shall take judicial notice of conditions of parole imposed by this Board or by another State pursuant to the Interstate Compact. The parolee may introduce evidence that he was not aware of a condition. The Hearing Officer shall take judicial notice of the laws of the State of Alabama. In the absence of proof to the contrary, the Hearing Officer may rely on a copy of a municipal ordinance or of a statute of another jurisdiction as evidence of the law in that jurisdiction. The Hearing Officer may presume, in the absence of proof to the contrary, that each municipality in Alabama has adopted an ordinance incorporating the penal provisions of the Alabama Code into its municipal law. The Hearing Officer may accept a certified copy of a judgment of conviction as conclusive evidence that the parolee is guilty of violating a law, provided that, in the case of a conviction in municipal court or district court, the time for appealing to circuit court for trial de novo had run before the certification was issued.

12. The Hearing Officer may determine that a parolee is guilty of violating a law, but that the offense was less than that named in the delinquency report. The Hearing Officer may also determine that a parolee is guilty of violating a law other than that named in the delinquency report, if the report provided fair notice to the parolee of the wrongful behavior at issue. The Hearing Officer may determine that a parolee is guilty of violating a condition of parole other than that named in the delinquency report, if the report provided fair notice to the parolee of the wrongful behavior at issue.

Article Twelve

Parole Court Hearings

Article Thirteen

Parole Court Reports

1. The Hearing Officer shall file a detailed written report, detailing the evidence considered and deciding the facts. The report shall also state what evidence was relied upon in the findings of facts. The report shall clearly state whether each charge was proven or not. If the parolee is found guilty of violating the terms of his parole, the Hearing Officer shall also include in his report a detailed assessment of the mitigating circumstances. The Hearing Officer shall then recommend whether parole should be revoked or reinstated. The parolee shall be provided a copy of the Hearing Officer’s Findings of Fact and Recommendation. The Hearing Officer’s report shall detail the reasons supporting his recommendation. This report shall also apprise the parolee of his right to promptly submit written comments or objections for the Board’s consideration. The Parole Court hearing officer is responsible for ensuring that a copy of the report is served on the parolee, and shall return a certificate of service to the Parole Court Docket Clerk verifying the date of service.

2. The written report is the official record of the Parole Court Hearing.

3. If the Parole Court determines that no charges have been proven, but that there is probable cause to believe any charge may be proven, the case may be continued pending further hearing. The Parole Court should also determine whether it is appropriate to detain the parolee pending such further hearing. These findings are to be reduced to writing, and a copy is to be served on the parolee.

4. Except as provided in the preceding section, if no charges are proven to the reasonable satisfaction of the Hearing Officer, the Hearing Officer shall forthwith prepare a draft order, for the Board’s signature, directing withdrawal of any warrant issued by authority of this department. That draft order and the Hearing Officer’s report shall be filed with the Board, and copies forwarded to the Executive Director (or designated officer) and members of the Board, by the most expeditious means. The Clerk of the Hearing Office shall prepare a monthly docket of acquittals for the Board’s review. A copy of that docket shall be forwarded to the Executive Director or designated officer. A parolee who has been accused of a specific parole violation, after the charge is found "not proven," shall not have his parole revoked for that violation unless the charge is subsequently proven in a new evidentiary hearing or unless he is convicted of an underlying criminal charge. The Board’s review of acquittals is for the purpose of ensuring that Hearing Officers are properly evaluating the evidence presented to them. The Board will also review the files pertaining to proven charges as they determine whether parole should be revoked.

5. If the parolee is found guilty of any charge, the Hearing Officer’s report shall be filed with the Clerk of the Hearing Office. The Clerk shall prepare two separate dockets. The cases in which Hearing Officers recommend reinstatement shall be presented to the Board separately from those cases in which the Hearing Officers recommend revocation.

6. Any objection to the Hearing’s Officers Report or the Board’s determination may be filed with the Board’s Revocation Unit at the Central Office.

7. If the parolee has not been incarcerated pending the Parole Court hearing, the Parole Court shall determine whether he should be incarcerated pending the Board’s final decision.

8. If the Parole Court recommends reinstatement, the written report should be submitted to the Board at the earliest practicable time. When reinstatement is appropriate, the Board believes that society benefits when this decision is made and carried out as soon as possible.

9. If the Parole Court recommends revocation, the written report should be submitted to the Board within a reasonable time.

Article Fourteen

Board Action Subsequent to Parole Court

1. The records of Parole Court proceedings shall be maintained in the department’s file pertaining to the affected parolee.

2. The Board shall take up its parole court dockets during regularly scheduled open public meetings. After consideration of the parole court report, the Board shall decide whether to revoke parole.

3. Any Board order revoking parole shall state the reasons for revocation and shall refer to the evidence relied on in determining that revocation is appropriate.

4. If the Board is inclined to reinstate to parole supervision any parolee found guilty of parole violation, the case may be continued to a later meeting, pending verification of his home and job plan.

5. If the Board is of the opinion that the interests of justice will be served by remanding a case for further hearing, either to ensure that the parolee has had due process or to ensure that society is properly served by a more thorough fact-finding process, such proceedings shall be conducted as promptly as may be practicable and just.

6. The Revocation Unit shall notify the Department of Corrections of any order revoking parole or returning the parolee to parole supervision.

7. The Revocation Unit shall ensure that the Executive Director receives copies of any dockets, orders, or records he may need.

8. The Board shall consider the record of proceedings and vote to revoke or reinstate parole, as they deem proper. The Board will only consider revocation on charges proven to the reasonable satisfaction of the Parole Court. However, the Board may remand any charge for further hearing.

9. The Board retains jurisdiction to reconsider any revocation that they may later determine to have been improvidently ordered.

10. Following revocation for a new offense, unless the new offense is one of those subject to Article 1, Section 9 of these rules, the Board will schedule the inmate’s next parole consideration date based on the set-off date established by the Board for the revoked case if the revoked case remains the controlling case (the longest running case). If the new offense becomes the controlling case, however, the Board will schedule the inmate’s next parole consideration date in accordance with the provisions of Article 1. For revocations due to a technical violation, the inmate’s next parole consideration date will be scheduled based on the Board’s set-off date established for the inmate’s revoked case.

Article Fifteen

Records

1. The records of the Board pertaining to each inmate are confidential. Prior to enactment of the statutory privilege in 1951, the Legislature regarded these files as privileged by common law. The Legislative history of Act 599 of 1951 indicates that the Legislature was concerned about the risks of abuse if individuals, including public officials, had access to the sensitive information in these files. Act 83-750 of 1983 increased the likelihood that the Board would receive useful, but sensitive, information from crime victims and public officials. The context of this act indicates that the Legislature intended for communications from these individuals to be kept confidential.

2. The records maintained in the Board’s Minute Books are public records. As provided herein, copies of the Board’s dockets, including a record of the action taken, will be filed in the Board’s Minutes for public inspection.

3. Board Orders granting pardons, with or without restoration of civil and political rights, paroles, or remissions of fines or forfeitures are public records. The statement of reasons filed by each member voting in favor of such grant are public records.

Article Sixteen

Flexibility in Responding to Crises

1. When the Board determines that circumstances exist manifesting a critical need for the Board to expedite parole consideration, the Board may direct its staff to implement these procedures, consistent with available resources.

2. The staff will survey the prison population, with a view toward assisting the Board in exercising its discretion in setting priorities for special dockets.

3. After reviewing the data assembled by the staff, and considering advice offered by our staff, the Board may set criteria for Special Dockets. The Board may also set criteria for a Secondary Docket. These criteria will be adopted by special order of the Board, entered into the minutes and published on the Board’s web site.

4. Clerical staff will be assigned to initially screen files that appear to meet these criteria. These cases will be divided into three categories: those that clearly are excluded, those that may be excluded from the Special Docket but appear to be candidates for the Secondary Docket, and those that are clearly not excluded from the Special Docket. Cases that are clearly excluded from the Special Docket will remain scheduled for parole consideration on the tentative dockets previously established according to these procedures, except as otherwise provided herein. Cases that are not excluded from the Special Docket will be forwarded to a designated officer for further review. Cases that may be considered for a Secondary Special Docket will be forwarded to the Review Committee for further review.

5. Special Docket cases are those in which the current offense does not require victim notification under §15-22-36, Ala. Code. The cases will be initially screened by knowledgeable clerical employees.

6. Secondary Dockets may be established for closer review of inmates who have been convicted of violent crimes, with a view toward identifying individual inmates who appear less likely to commit violent crimes in the future. Because of the potentially higher stakes, the staff must exercise proportionately greater discretion in reviewing these files to identify candidates for earlier consideration. More experienced officers will review these cases.

7. The designated staff officers reviewing Special Docket cases will consider the nature and severity of the current offense, the seriousness of prior criminal history, and the length of sentence and time served; and may consider events occurring since incarceration to determine the rescheduled consideration dates. These designees are authorized to order rescheduling of consideration, within the parameters established by the Board’s emergency order.

8. The staff officers and clerical employees involved in Special Docket reviews will meet frequently and consult with other staff as appropriate, and will ensure that the Executive Director and the Board are kept apprised of their progress and of any potential obstacles.

9. The Review Committee members reviewing Secondary Docket cases will consider the nature and severity of the current offense, the seriousness of prior criminal history, the length of sentence and time served, and community attitude toward the offender; and may consider events occurring since incarceration to determine the rescheduled consideration dates. The Committee is authorized to order rescheduling of consideration, within the parameters established by the Board’s emergency order.

10. While any Secondary Docket order is in effect, the Review Committee will meet frequently and consult with other staff as appropriate, and will ensure that the Executive Director and the Board are kept apprised of their progress and of any potential obstacles.

11. Backlogged victim notification cases may be screened by a staff member in the Victim Services Unit, who may direct the Victim Service unit to expedite notice in cases where the information appears to be current, even if there are other cases more overdue. This officer may also screen backlogged cases to determine whether any other backlogged case should be expedited, and if so, he may direct that such case be processed.

Board Order

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