Mississippi 2024 Regular Session

Mississippi Senate Bill SB2352

Introduced
2/12/24  
Refer
2/12/24  

Caption

Parole Board; prescribe qualifications for the board and post parole hearings on DOC website.

Impact

The bill also restructures the procedures around parole hearings, removing the requirement for these hearings to be held at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. Instead, parole hearings will be accessible to the public via internet webcast, enhancing transparency in the parole process. Notification of parole hearings will now be published on the Mississippi Department of Corrections' website, ensuring that victims and their families receive timely information regarding hearings and decisions, although failure to provide such notice won’t affect lawful determinations of parole.

Summary

SB2352 aims to amend sections of the Mississippi Code regarding the State Parole Board. Key changes include setting specific qualifications for board members, requiring that at least one member must have a background in law enforcement, and two members must be licensed attorneys with experience in criminal defense and prosecutorial law. Additionally, it allows for two board members to be business owners in Mississippi. The bill emphasizes the need for board members to be appointed without political affiliations and mandates annual training based on established correctional guidelines.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussions regarding the implications of allowing victims and their families a voice in parole decisions. While some argue it is a step towards greater victim rights, critics express concern that the amendments may over-simplify the complexities involved in parole considerations, potentially leading to public outcry without adequate assessment of individual cases. The change in hearing locations and the push for electronic monitoring also indicate a shift toward modernizing the parole system, reflecting ongoing efforts to address criminal justice reform in the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MS HB282

Parole eligibility; revise for certain offenders and require Parole Board hearing before release of certain inmates.

MS HB1130

State Parole Board; bring forward sections pertaining to.

MS HB952

Violent offenders, certain; may be paroled by Parole Board if sentencing judge authorizes parole consideration.

MS SB2117

Earned-release supervision; require Parole Board to approve release of offenders.

MS SB2656

Special Care Facility for Paroled Inmates; bring forward provisions for possible amendment.

MS SB2116

The Juvenile Offender Parole and Rehabilitation Act; enact.

MS HB69

"The Juvenile Offender Parole and Rehabilitation Act"; enact.

MS HB329

"The Juvenile Offender Parole and Rehabilitation Act"; enact.

MS HB921

Public Procurement Review Board; revise the qualifications of members on.

MS HB1022

State boards and commissions; Department of Finance and Administration travel regulations shall be applicable to all.

Similar Bills

MS HB204

State Parole Board; provide that three of the five appointed members must have served as law enforcement officers.

MS SB2577

Digitizations; create a criminal penalty for the wrongful dissemination of.

MS HB683

State Parole Board; extend repealer on.

MS SB2276

State Parole Board; extend repealer on.

MS HB1126

"Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act"; establish to protect minors from harmful content.

MS HB114

State Parole Board; dissolve and reconstitute membership of.

MS SB2743

Alcoholic and tobacco; require scanning software to combat underage drinking and smoking.

MS HB976

Sellers of alternative nicotine products and package retailers; require to have a third-party age verification service.