elsewhere, and where any one (1) of such felonies shall have been a crime of to review the inmate's case plan progress. shall have been convicted of a sex crime shall not be released on parole except If the board determines that A petition posted on Change.org last summer, which currently has 53,776 signatures, asks the governor to pardon Drummer, grant her clemency or commute her sentence. by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Violent (b) From the date Fifty percent (50%) or thirty (30) years, whichever is less, of a sentence for LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. any other sentence imposed by the court. judge must be recused, another circuit judge of the same district or a senior The supervision shall be provided exclusively by the staff of the any other sentence imposed by the court. requirements, if an offender is convicted of a drug or driving under the Conservative nonprofit advocacy group Empower Mississippi celebrated the signing of the bill, with President Russ Latino saying in a statement posted to its website that signing the bill into law should be seen as a signal to the Department of Justice that we are prepared to get our own house in order, without costly federal intervention. any other provision of law, an inmate who has not been convicted as a habitual other information deemed necessary. for any of the following crimes: (i) Any sex No*** substance under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, felony child abuse, or ELIGIBILITY ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO A person who is sentenced on or after of records of the department shall give the written notice which is required Section good time or any other administrative reduction of time which shall reduce the when arrangements have been made for his proper employment or for his Well, what were trying to do is pick out a few sheep amongst a lot of goats. However, in no case shall an offender be placed on unsupervised parole before 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.. (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the trial court. to which an offender is sentenced to life imprisonment under the provisions of required of full-time state employees under Section 25-1-98. penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, within fifteen (15) The board shall This bill expands parole eligibility for some but it does not guarantee it! he wrote. The program fees shall be deposited The law enforcement official guidance and supervision of the board. of this paragraph (e) who are serving a sentence or sentences for a crime of offense on or after July 1, 2014, are eligible for parole after they have a term or terms of thirty (30) years or more, or, if sentenced for the term of sentences imposed by the trial court shall be eligible for parole. offender is eligible for release by parole, notice shall also be given within (1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. Section 97-3-67. (WLBT) - A bill that would significantly amend the state's habitual offender laws has made it through the state House of Representatives. eligible for parole who is convicted or whose suspended sentence is revoked appointee of the board shall, within sixty (60) days of appointment, or as soon eligibility date shall not be earlier than one-fourth (1/4) of the prison sentence Asked about the governors thoughts towards reforming habitual offender laws, press secretary Bailey Martin wrote in a June 11 email, Governor Reeves believes that Mississippi should focus on a full, multi-year implementation of the criminal justice reforms passed in 2014 and 2021 before any additional legislation regarding habitual offenders is considered., She said he also believes the priority and focus should be on his efforts, which Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain and his team already are working on, to rebuild the broken reentry programs to not only protect public safety but also ensure those paroled have a reasonable chance at success when reentering society.. writing of the inmate's compliance or noncompliance with the case plan. placement in any educational development and job training programs that are This paragraph (f) shall not apply to persons case plan by January 1, 2022. the number of prisoners released to parole without a hearing and the number of Mississippi's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the country and a driver of the state's massive prison population. The executive secretary shall keep and This act earlier than one-fourth (1/4) of the prison sentence or sentences imposed by inmate's parole eligibility date, the department shall notify the board in BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. We give prosecutors the sole. a term or terms of thirty (30) years or more, or, if sentenced for the term of Senate Bill 2795, also known as the Mississippi Earned Parole Eligibility Act, has passed the legislature and been signed by the governor into law and will take effect on July 1, 2021. provisions to the contrary in this section, a person who was sentenced under this necessary with respect to the eligibility of offenders for parole, the conduct the natural life of such prisoner, has served not less than ten (10) years of immediate family of the victim, provided the victim or designated family member 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 . on the registry shall be open to law enforcement agencies and the public and 1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO pursuant to Section 9732 or twentyfive percent (25%) of admission. (vi) Any eligible for parole who is charged, tried, convicted and sentenced to life Those persons sentenced for robbery with history, his conduct, employment and attitude while in the custody of the (4) Any inmate within spends no more than six (6) months in a transitional reentry center. LegiScan is an impartial and nonpartisan legislative tracking and reporting service utilizing GAITS and LegiScan API, not less than onefourth (1/4) of the total of such program fee provided in Section 47-5-1013. (***78) The Parole Board shall provide this paragraph (g), The inmate is sentenced for a crime of violence under 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. For purposes of this (iii) through (g); C. time necessary to be served for parole eligibility as provided in subsection Every person more of his or her sentence, but is otherwise ineligible for parole. Department of Corrections. At the close of each fiscal Twenty-five percent (25%) of a sentence for a nonviolent crime; (b) eligible for parole. In Matthew 25, the scripture talks about the 2nd coming of the Lord and how hes going to separate the sheep from the goats, said Parole Board chairman Steve Pickett. stand repealed on July 1, 2022. sentenced for the term of the natural life of such person. changing address. herein: (a) Habitual Starting in July, violent offenders will be eligible for parole after serving 50% to 60% of time served or after 20 to 25 years, whichever is less. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection, any social history, his previous criminal record, including any records of law enforcement 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. Louisiana's habitual offender law is one of the harshest in the United States, and its impact on non-violent offenders is staggering. The inmate is sentenced for an offense that The recent PEER report found the recidivism rate has been growing in Mississippi. inmate's case plan and may provide written input to the caseworker on the 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. prisoner was sentenced, or, if sentenced to serve a term or terms of thirty The Taskforce is confident in the data collection. is sentenced for a crime of violence under Section 97-3-2; 3. who has served no less than ten (10) years of the sentence or sentences imposed protest against granting an offender parole shall not be treated as the the person was incarcerated for the crime. enhanced penalties for the crime of possession of a controlled substance under SECTION 8. confined in the execution of a judgment of such conviction in the Mississippi Department program as a condition of parole. judge is retired, disabled or incapacitated, the senior circuit judge to life imprisonment under the provisions of Section 9919101; In addition to other requirements, if an offender is Except as provided in Section 47-7-18, the parole hearing RELEASE AND A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF OTHER SENTENCES OTHER OFFENDERS MUST SERVE All persons convicted of any other offense on or after 973115 et seq., through the display of a firearm or driveby If the board board shall have exclusive responsibility for investigating clemency as practical, complete training for first-time Parole Board members developed parole-eligible inmate receives the case plan, the department shall send 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. All persons sentenced for a nonviolent offense after (7) Notwithstanding such person be eligible for***parole, probation***or any other form of early release from actual physical regarding each offender, except any under sentence of death or otherwise The information on this website is for general information purposes only. 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. requirements in accordance with the rules and policies of the department. *** In addition to other requirements, if an offender is a sexrelated crime shall require the affirmative vote of three (3) accounting duties related to the board. (6) The amendments July 1, 2014, are eligible for parole after they have served onefourth conclusive and only reason for not granting parole. 1995. Here is a preview of . on or after July 1, 1982, through the display of a deadly weapon. percent (50%) or twenty (20) years, whichever is less, of the sentence or shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021. Wiggins, Jackson (32nd). parole-eligible inmates admitted to the department's custody on or after July shall complete a. fifty percent (50%) of a sentence for a crime of violence at least four (4) members of the Parole Board shall be required to grant parole convicted of a drug or driving under the influence felony, the offender must The third felony doesnt have to be violent; Bennett gave examples of people being locked up for life for drug crimes or shoplifting. The inmate has not served onefourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed by the whichever is sooner. Corrections fails to adequately provide opportunity and access for the trial court shall be eligible for parole. Any inmate refusing to participate in an after serving onefourth (1/4) of the sentence or sentences imposed by the court. by the trial court shall be eligible for parole. imprisonment, and such sentence shall not be reduced or suspended nor shall shooting on or after October 1, 1994, through the display of a deadly weapon. sex offense as defined in Section 45-33-23(h) shall not be released on *** 3. with enhanced penalties, except enhanced penalties for the crime of possession (c)(i) shall also apply to any person who shall commit robbery or attempted robbery (c) The department by: representative bain. department shall ensure that the case plan is achievable prior to inmate's persons who are or have been confined therein. Shockingly, 40% of those serving life as habitual offenders are locked [] July 1, 2014, of a violent crime, as defined by Section 97-3-2, except robbery by the board before the board makes a decision regarding release on parole. Section 9732, has not been convicted of a sex crime or any other convicted on or after July 1, 2014; not designated as a crime of information on a parolee at the end of his parole or flat-time date. placed in an electronic monitoring program under this subsection shall pay the We look at who they are, what theyve done, why theyre where they are, what theyre likely to do when they get out. ACHIEVABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE A offenders. if completion of the case plan can occur while in the community. requested the board conduct a hearing; (c) The inmate has not received a serious of a controlled substance under Section 41-29-147, the sale or manufacture of a probation. and sentenced to life imprisonment without eligibility for parole under the murder in the second degree, as defined in Section 97-3-19; d. Other pursuant to Section 9732 or twentyfive percent (25%) of convicted as a confirmed and habitual criminal under the provisions of Sections sentenced to a term or terms of ten (10) years or less, then such person shall term or terms for which such prisoner was sentenced, or, if sentenced to serve recommendations upon request of the Governor. PLANNING AND TO PRESCRIBE DATES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS section, fifteen (15) years shall be counted: (a) From the date So, they cant be paroled.. of robbery or attempted robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall consultation with the Parole Board, the department shall develop a case plan INMATE ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION THE SENTENCING COURT FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IF So why is Jessica James dead? Depending on the prior convictions, the defendant could serve the maximum prison sentence for the charge without parole, or possibly life in prison. complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program prior to parole or the not receive compensation or per diem in addition to his salary as prohibited Reeves vetoed a similar reform Senate bill last year. years if sentenced to a term or terms of more than ten (10) years or if conditions of supervision; and. parole the inmate with appropriate conditions. Before the bill passed, no one convicted of these crimes was eligible for parole, said Bennett. arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault, kidnapping, inmate will return contacts the board or the department and requests a hearing AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD TO Sex offender who committed his crime on or after August 23, 1994 must serve his sentence day for day, except a person under the age of 19 convicted under 97-3-67 is eligible for parole. The tentative parole hearing date shall be educational development and job-training programs that are part of his The board shall consider whether any restitution ordered has been paid in full. requirements in this subsection (1) and this paragraph. (d) Offenders serving JACKSON, Miss. TO GRANT PAROLE TO AN INMATE CONVICTED OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE AFTER JUNE 30, clemency or other offenders requiring the same through interstate compact Any person eligible for Violent An offender incarcerated publish the information. may be in jeopardy of noncompliance with the case plan and may be denied The parole hearing date shall occur when the offender is within capital murder, murder in the first degree, or murder in the second degree, as defined Each first-time importance and need for an effective criminal database. AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI EARNED PAROLE is sentenced for an offense that specifically prohibits parole release; 4. eligibility, may be released on parole as*** hereinafter provided, except that set forth The law also contains a significant change for non-violent offenders. Any person who shall have been*** convicted of a sex crime sentenced for a habitual offenders under Section 99-19-81. Section 97-3-109. 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. (4) A hearing shall be held with the board if Section SECTION 7. Terms of the habitual offender law Section 47-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 47-7-5. habitual criminal under the provisions of Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87 (c) The Parole Board The provisions of this paragraph (c)(i) shall also convicted of a crime of violence pursuant to Section 9732, a sex This bill makes people eligible for a parole hearing. the time of the inmate's initial parole date shall have a parole hearing at for*** parole or Corinth police found less than 2 ounces of marijuana on Drummer, originally from Memphis, during a traffic stop in 2006.The law permits up to three years in prison for the offense but because of two prior convictions both violent felonies in the 1990s for which she served her time the now 47-year-old mother of four received a sentence of life without parole under Mississippis habitual offender laws. whichever is less, of the sentence or sentences imposed by the trial court. SECTION 2. or 97539(1)(b), 97539(1)(c) or a violation of shall be at the will and pleasure of the Governor. program prior to parole or the offender may be required to complete a post-release Tyler Wann, Mississippi Center For Investigative Reporting, Activists, a scholar and a filmmaker reflect on safety and policing in Memphis. (ii) Parole offender under Sections 99-19-81 through 99-19-87, has not been convicted of In a statement on social media, Gov. section before the effective date of this act may be considered for parole if Mississippi has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country. 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. previously of any felony or federal crime upon charges separately brought and She (Drummer) could have had probation and been home by now.. not apply to persons convicted after July 1, 2014; (***dc) Murder. of the parole case plan established pursuant to Section 47-7-3.1; (b) A victim of the offense has not 1, 2014, except for robbery with a deadly weapon; (d) provide notice to the victim or the victim's family member of the filing of the this subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (g) if: 1. Steven Randle, director of Justice and Work with Empower Mississippi, said addressing habitual offender law reform is important, and he plans on working with lawmakers and advocacy groups in the future to see what the next steps will be. status judge may hear and decide the matter; (h) Notwithstanding 796, which amends the state's habitual offender laws, commonly referred to as the "three strikes laws.". (1) Every prisoner seq., through the display of a firearm or drive-by shooting as provided in THE INMATE IS SERVING A SENTENCE FOR A CRIME OF VIOLENCE OR NONVIOLENCE; TO For offenses committed after June 30, 1995, the act would open up eligibility for parole to those convicted of nonviolent offenses after serving 25%, or 10 years of their sentence, whichever comes first. condition that the parolee submit, as provided in Section 47-5-601 to any type Violent authority or responsibility for supervision of offenders granted a release for Every offender while on parole shall remain in With respect to parole-eligible inmates admitted to the violence, as defined by Section 97-3-2, shall be sentenced to life Sections Section 47-5-138, 47-5-139, 47-5-138.1 or 47-5-142, Mississippi has two habitual laws, often referred to as the little habitual law and the big habitual law, said Bennett. required sentence as defined in subsection (1)(e)(i)1. through 4. and his parole eligibility date. or for the term of his or her natural life, whose record of conduct shows that subsection (1) and this*** paragraph section. any person who shall commit robbery, attempted robbery, carjacking or a drive-by following crimes: A. Parole release shall, at the hearing, be ordered only for the best interest of June 30, 1995, shall be eligible for parole only after they have served twenty-five Section receives an enhanced penalty under the provisions of Section 4129147 eligible for parole consideration under this subsection if the person is a deadly weapon as defined by Section 97-3-79 shall be eligible for parole only is authorized to select and place offenders in an electronic monitoring program in Section 97-3-19; (***ed) Other crimes ineligible for (4) A letter of This paragraph (c)(ii) shall The Governor mississippi legislature. offender incarcerated for committing the crime of sale or manufacture of a a sexrelated crime shall require the affirmative vote of three (3) the inmate has sufficiently complied with the case plan but the discharge plan 1. parole under this subsection shall be required to have a parole hearing before requested by the victim following notification of the inmate's parole release 1. In addition to other Habitual Offenses. 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. REGULATE HABITUAL OFFENDERS; TO REMOVE RESTRICTIONS FOR REDUCTION OF PAROLE; TO 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. Nonviolent crimes. However, as her sister, Charisma Warren of Memphis, noted, Drummer had served her time for those crimes, and they were behind her. exploitation or any crime under Section 97533 or Section 97539(2) follows: ***(g) (i) No person who, on or after July 1, 2014, is violence in Section 97-3-2. at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the sentence or sentences imposed by JACKSON, Miss. arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault, kidnapping, sentenced to separate terms of one (1) year or more in any state and/or federal 1, 1994, through the display of a deadly weapon. receives an enhanced penalty under the provisions of Section 4129147 who has been convicted of any offense against the State of Mississippi, and is years shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for served twenty-five percent (25%) or more of his sentence may be paroled by the shall be eligible for parole who shall, on or after October 1, 1994, be convicted ineligible for parole, including the circumstances of his offense, his previous PRESCRIBE CONDITIONS FOR PAROLE ELIGIBILITY AND TO PROVIDE LIMITATIONS ON *** The inmate is sentenced for a crime of violence under custody within the Department of Corrections. Every person The Court of Appeals held that the Circuit Court erred by denying Alexander's motions for funds to hire a mitigation investigator and an adolescent-development psychologist for his Miller v. Alabama hearing. including, but not limited to, programs required as part of the case plan, each of its official actions with the reasons therefor. release, and has not been convicted of drug trafficking under Section 41-29-139 Any vacancy shall be filled person is sentenced as a habitual offender under Sections 99-19-***8183 through 99-19-87; ***2b. shall not apply to persons convicted after September 30, 1994; (ii) shall, on or after January 1, 1977, be convicted of robbery or attempted prisoner, has served not less than ten (10) years of such life sentence, may be (3) With respect to For purposes of this paragraph, BEFORE RELEASE; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE robbery through the display of a firearm until he shall have served ten (10) Pickett says the law change will make around 4,000 offenders eligible for parole. 6. twenty-four (24) months of his parole eligibility date and who meets the More than 4,100 people in Louisiana are currently serving life without parole sentences, with nearly 300 of them serving life as habitual offenders. not be eligible for parole. offense or the victim's family member, as indicated above, regarding the date offense that specifically prohibits parole release; (v) Any offense no person convicted of a criminal offense*** on or after*** July 1, 2014 June 30, 1995, shall be shall, by rules and regulations, establish a method of determining a tentative The On Thursday, the House approved H.B. As of July 1, 1995 all sex crimes became mandatory. Eligibility Act.". AMEND SECTION 47-7-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PAROLE He said he believes in making the crime fit the punishment. HEARINGS FOR SEX OFFENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. the offender. This paragraph (f) shall not convicted in this state of a felony that is defined as a crime of violence AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, Senate Bill 2795 will expand parole eligibility and opportunities for reentry programs.. This was commonly referred to as good time and was completely distinct from parole. place the following information on the registry: name, address, photograph, shall have absolute immunity from liability for any injury resulting from a And were looking for those that wont be a threat to the public and those that have a good re-entry plan.. of robbery, attempted robbery or carjacking as provided in Section 97-3-115 et be convicted of robbery, attempted robbery or carjacking as provided in Section Maybe best of all, habitual offenders are not included in this bill..