Texas House Bill HB1477

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/11
• Introduced: 2/17/11
• Refer: 3/2/11
• Report Pass: 4/18/11

Caption

Relating to awarding credit to certain inmates for time between release on and revocation of parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon.

Impact

The enactment of HB1477 is intended to provide a more humane approach towards inmates by recognizing the time they have already spent in the community while on parole or supervised release. This legislative change could alleviate the severity of penalties faced by inmates who may have technically violated terms but did not engage in further criminal activity. It acknowledges that not all violations warrant the same punitive measures, particularly when they are administrative in nature rather than associated with new criminal behavior.

Summary

House Bill 1477 focuses on amending the way certain inmates receive credit for time served during parole and mandatory supervision. Specifically, the bill introduces changes to Section 508.283 of the Government Code to allow inmates to receive credit for the time they spent released prior to the revocation of their parole, mandatory supervision, or conditional pardon, under specific conditions. This means that if a parole or supervision is revoked solely due to administrative violations and the warrant for revocation is issued at least a year after their release, those inmates can receive credit for their time out of custody.

Contention

While the bill appears beneficial for reducing sentences for certain inmates, it has sparked discussions regarding potential impacts on public safety and the integrity of the parole system. Proponents argue that it incentivizes good behavior during the period of supervision and acknowledges the time during which the individual refrained from committing further crimes. Conversely, critics worry that it might encourage leniency that could endanger community safety, particularly if those who violate their terms are allowed to benefit from this new provision. Overall, the bill highlights ongoing debates about balancing rehabilitation and accountability within the criminal justice system.