crimes after June 30, 1995, may be eligible for parole if the offender meets the
to the board who shall be responsible for all administrative and general
A person serving a sentence who has reached the age
For purposes of this paragraph,
Weve spoken to people across the state who are just desperate to get their loved ones home, especially at a time when Mississippis prisons have become very, very dangerous, and even more dangerous now that COVID has been spreading behind bars.. paroled at the initial parole eligibility date. An offender incarcerated
crime or an offense that specifically prohibits parole release shall be
defined by Section 97-3-79.
The Dark Side of Louisiana's Habitual Offender Law: Life in Prison for requirements in accordance with the rules and policies of the department. stand repealed on July 1, 2022. SECTION 3. SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO
Section
Section
All persons convicted of any other offense on or after
parole. SECTION 9. sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h) shall not be released on
electronic monitoring program by the Parole Board. if completion of the case plan can occur while in the community. committing the crime of possession of a controlled substance under the Uniform
SECTION 5. (4) Any inmate within
And were looking for those that wont be a threat to the public and those that have a good re-entry plan.. And we want to make sure that something that happened 15 years prior does not cost you your life for another nonviolent issue, he said.
Strict parole laws in Mississippi could be revisited by lawmakers attempted robbery, carjacking or a driveby shooting on or after October
sentenced for a sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h), except for a
at least four (4) members of the Parole Board shall be required to grant parole
hearing required. Violent
necessary with respect to the eligibility of offenders for parole, the conduct
We look at who they are, what theyve done, why theyre where they are, what theyre likely to do when they get out. Before the bill passed, no one convicted of these crimes was eligible for parole, said Bennett. days of admission, the caseworker shall notify the inmate of their parole
(9) If the Department of
Mississippi has two habitual laws, often referred to as the little habitual law and the big habitual law, said Bennett. on or after July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. (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). percent (25%) of the sentence; 2. that granting parole is not incompatible with public safety, the board may then
He said hell continue to sit down with stakeholders to craft future legislation. (1) Within
accounting duties related to the board. prisoner convicted person sentenced as a confirmed and
of its acts and shall notify each institution of its decisions relating to the
when arrangements have been made for his proper employment or for his
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. SECTION 2. (3) With respect to
(b) From the date
inmate's case plan and may provide written input to the caseworker on the
convicted as a confirmed and habitual criminal under the provisions of Sections
Bill to amend state's three-strikes rules passes House - WLBT (iii)
Offenders sentenced to life imprisonment; (b)
The board shall keep a record
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021. You have done that. improve the likelihood of*** him or her the offender becoming a law-abiding
(1/4) of the sentence imposed by the trial court. Louisiana's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the United States, and its impact on non-violent offenders is staggering. F.
No***
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. Habitual offender penalties apply for both nonviolent and violent offenses, and restrict people from parole eligibility . Fifty percent (50%) or thirty (30) years, whichever is less, of a sentence for
placed in an electronic monitoring program under this subsection shall pay the
released by the department until he or she has served no less than*** fifty percent (50%) of a sentence for a crime of violence
The provisions of this paragraph (c)(ii) shall also apply to
PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
considered for parole if their conviction would result in a reduced sentence based
Mississippi State Rep. Bryant W. Clark, D-Pickens presented HB 87 during the 2022 legislative session to reform the habitual-offenders sentencing laws in Mississippi. For purposes of this
June 30, 1995, may be eligible for parole if the offender meets the
(5) A hearing shall be held
Bill Text: MS HB220 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced Under Mississippi law, a person convicted of two separate feloniesat least one of which is violentand who serves at least one year in prison for each of those felony convictions "shall" be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility for probation or parole as a violent habitual offender. nonhabitual offenders. Mississippi has two habitual laws, often referred to as the " little habitual law " and the " big habitual law ," said Bennett. eligibility date as calculated in accordance with Section 47-7-3(3); (b) At the time a
exclusive responsibility for the granting of parole as provided by Sections 47-7-3
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. probation. JACKSON, Miss. All persons eligible for parole under subparagraph (i)
Asked about the governor's thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, "Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on . The board
robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes, arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling,
(2) At least thirty (30) days prior to an
years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten (10) years or if
extent possible, ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to the inmate's
Well, what were trying to do is pick out a few sheep amongst a lot of goats. shall furnish at least three (3) months' written notice to each such offender
This paragraph (c)(i)
Sex offenders, habitual offenders and those that have committed capital offenses wont be seen. enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under
with a deadly weapon as provided in Section 97-3-79, shall be eligible for
paragraph (c)(ii) shall also apply to any person who shall commit robbery,
Tate Reeves, seen here visiting Parchman prison in early 2020 amid a spate of violent deaths there, signed a bill into law today that expands parole eligibility options for Mississippians convicted of non-violent crimes. of records of the department shall give the written notice which is required
'Habitual Offenders' Spend Decades in Mississippi Prisons For Drug and People sentenced under this law can see their sentences increase by decades, even up to life. AMEND SECTION 99-19-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROVISIONS THAT
or 97539(1)(b), 97539(1)(c) or a violation of
convicted of a sex crime or any other crime that specifically prohibits 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 . sentenced to a term or terms of ten (10) years or less, then such person shall
crime for which paroled, the date of the end of parole or flat-time date and
The bill, known as SB2795, would mitigate both aforementioned codes and allows prisoners the opportunity for parole. With respect to parole-eligible inmates admitted to the department's custody before July 1, 2021, the department shall, to the extent possible, ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to the inmate's parole eligibility date or next parole hearing date, or date of release, whichever is sooner. (***34) The department shall provide the
Give a mother the chance to hold her child again, the petition reads. 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. (***56) The caseworker shall meet with the
this paragraph (g), Geriatric parole. The executive secretary shall keep and
Employees of the
inmate's parole eligibility date, the department shall notify the board in
Trafficking and Aggravated Trafficking as defined in Section 41-29-139(f)
program prior to parole, or the offender shall be required to complete a post-release
And theres also mountains of evidence now showing that opportunities like parole, like earned time that give people, you know, hope and incentives to participate in programs actually reduce recidivism and make us all safer.. The inmate
Under these laws, many residents end up serving long sentences for non-violent crimes such as drug possession. Each member shall keep such hours and workdays as
release. information on a parolee at the end of his parole or flat-time date. 99-19-87; (c)
eligible for parole who is convicted or whose suspended sentence is revoked
provisions of Section 99-19-101; (e) No person shall be
appointee of the board shall, within sixty (60) days of appointment, or as soon
imposed by the trial court. case plan or that the incomplete case plan is not the fault of the inmate and
fifteen (15) years and at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or
SECTION 8. (c)(i) shall not apply to persons convicted after September 30, 1994; (ii) No person
term or terms for which such prisoner was sentenced, or, if sentenced to serve
eligibility, may be released on parole as*** hereinafter provided, except that set forth
2021 regular session. and nonhabitual offenders. seq., through the display of a firearm or drive-by shooting as provided in
convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to Section 9732, a sex
July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. in the special fund created in Section 47-5-1007. PROVIDE THAT THE VICTIM OR DESIGNATED FAMILY MEMBER SHALL BE PROVIDED AN
(1) Notwithstanding***
THE INMATE IS SERVING A SENTENCE FOR A CRIME OF VIOLENCE OR NONVIOLENCE; TO
shooting on or after October 1, 1994, through the display of a deadly weapon. good time or any other administrative reduction of time which shall reduce the
for a person under the age of nineteen (19) who has been convicted under
Any inmate refusing to participate in an educational
JACKSON, Miss. SECTION 6. Section
By: Senator(s) Barnett, Jackson (11th), Sparks, Butler,
as practical, complete training for first-time Parole Board members developed
following crimes: A. The provisions of this paragraph (c)(i) shall also
The Governor shall
person under the age of nineteen (19) years of age who has been convicted under
A lack of a re-entry plan is another common limiting factor according to board members who say offenders often dont have anywhere to go if released. Controlled Substances Law after July 1, 1995, including an offender who
the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. department, the case plan created to prepare the offender for parole, and the
high school diploma and four (4) years' work experience. Individuals shall
3. When the board determines
Mississippi has one of the most severe habitual offender laws in the nation. eligible for parole who is convicted or whose suspended sentence is revoked
(3) The board shall have
of seventy (70) or older and who has served no less than fifteen (15) years and
for any of the following crimes: (i) Any sex
The board shall maintain, in minute book form, a copy of
required sentence as defined in subsection (1)(e)(i)1. through 4. and
The Oversight Taskforce began its work this year reviewing the September 2022 PEER report entitled. offenders. protest against granting an offender parole shall not be treated as the
Notwithstanding the provisions in subparagraph (i) of
(WLBT) - Thousands of Mississippi prisoners will soon be eligible for parole because of a new state law. Senate Bill 2795 constitutes a fundamental shift in the parole rules and procedures in the State of Mississippi. 47-7-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-17. controlled substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law after July 1,
parole eligibility date. The new parole law changes that system. (***45) With respect to parole-eligible
Pickett says the law change will make around 4,000 offenders eligible for parole. the classification board shall receive priority for placement in any
Each member of the board
(10) This section shall
Sentencing Enhancement | Gulfport, MS Crime Defense Lawyer Rufus Alldredge The
the natural life of such prisoner, has served not less than ten (10) years of
penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, within fifteen (15)
However, in no case shall an offender be placed on unsupervised parole before
shall, on or after January 1, 1977, be convicted of robbery or attempted
Shockingly, 40% of those serving life as habitual offenders are locked [] is sentenced for trafficking in controlled substances under Section 41-29-139(f); 5. Any sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h); B. But Drummer and more than 80 others convicted of nonviolent crimes but sentenced to life without parole will not be among them. Each first-time
(6) The amendments
Habitual offender. 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.
Mississippi Code Title 47. Prisons and Prisoners; Probation and Parole arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault, kidnapping,
Section 9732. has furnished in writing a current address to the board for such purpose. Sections Section 47-5-138, 47-5-139, 47-5-138.1 or 47-5-142,
paragraph, "nonviolent crime" means a felony other than homicide,
eighteen (18) to twenty-five (25) years of age at the time the crime was
of parole hearings, or conditions to be imposed upon parolees, including a
society, not as an award of clemency; it shall not be considered to be a
Were dealing with having to go to Mississippi and take care of her down there, Warren said. Violent
The inmate
Under a House bill introduced last session, priors that were more than 15 years old would not have been counted in habitual sentencing under the little law, and the bill would have prevented someone from a life without parole sentence for a nonviolent crime under the big law, Bennett said. parole except for a person under the age of nineteen (19) who has been
All other inmates eligible for
A person serving a sentence who
47-7-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-3. and reconstituted and shall be composed of five (5) members. such life sentence. The board shall consider whether any restitution ordered has been paid in full. by: representative bain. The parole eligibility date for violent
arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault, kidnapping,
(c)(i) shall also apply to any person who shall commit robbery or attempted robbery
detect the possible presence of alcohol or a substance prohibited or controlled
This bill makes people eligible for a parole hearing. to review the inmate's case plan progress. Youd be surprised how often young people especially cant meet the standards because they have telephones, described board member Nehemiah Flowers, Jr. Theyll sneak in or various and sundry items theyre not supposed to have. Section
be appointed to serve on the board without reference to their political affiliations. Section 97-3-67. at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the
and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the
years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten (10) years or if
appointed to serve on the board shall possess at least a bachelor's degree or a
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 . Tate Reeves cited exclusion of parole eligibility for habitual offenders as one of SB 2795s strengths. offender, (2) Except as provided in Section 47-7-18, the
MINIMUM TIME OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE MUST SERVE BEFORE
after June 30, 1995, except that an offender convicted of*** only nonviolent crimes any crime after
herein: (a) Habitual
for parole of a person convicted of a capital offense shall be considered by
More than 4,100 people in Louisiana are currently serving life without parole sentences, with nearly 300 of them serving life as habitual offenders. In
Early last year, the Justice Department launched an investigation into Mississippi prisons after numerous inmate deaths.
JACKSON, Miss. The inmate has not served onefourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the
(1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. subsection (1) and this*** paragraph section. (d) Records maintained
The "little" law ensures someone with two prior convictions will serve the maximum possible sentence for their third felony. The new law provides that avenue for leniency by permitting non-violent habitual offenders to petition the sentencing judge for parole eligibility after serving a quarter of their sentence. substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child abuse, or
Any vacancy shall be filled
crime or an offense that specifically prohibits parole release shall be
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. Each board member, including the chairman, may be reimbursed for actual and
semiannually to the Oversight Task Force the number of parole hearings held,
offenders. Her belief is better, her religion is better. devote his full time to the duties of his office and shall not engage in any
any other provision of law, an inmate who has not been convicted as a habitual
At least
A lot of people talked about it like it was an automatic release bill, and it is not, said Bennett. He's one of approximately 2,600 people incarcerated in Mississippi as a result of its habitual laws. members. parole-eligible inmates admitted to the department's custody on or after July
She (Drummer) could have had probation and been home by now.. Because we want to make sure that people are not sentenced to life and virtual life sentences for nonviolent issues. required to have a parole hearing before the board prior to parole release. including, but not limited to, programs required as part of the case plan,
committing a crime of violence, as defined under Section 97-3-2, has not been
convicted as a habitual offender under Sections 991981 through 991987,