Virginia House Bill HB2226

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/11/23

Caption

Parolee or felon; arrest & return when serving a period of postrelease supervision.

Impact

The new provisions aim to streamline the process of handling violations of parole or postrelease supervision terms. By enabling officials to promptly issue warrants upon suspected violations, the bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining public safety through active monitoring of individuals in the corrections system. The changes could lead to an increase in the number of arrests for parole violations, shifting focus towards more rigorous enforcement of conditions upon release.

Summary

House Bill 2226 amends §53.1-161 of the Code of Virginia regarding the arrest and return of parolees or felons serving a period of postrelease supervision. The legislation allows the Chairman or any board member to issue a warrant for the arrest of a parolee or felon when there is information or evidence of a violation of their release conditions. This is intended to ensure that individuals on postrelease supervision adhere to the terms set forth during their sentencing, thus reinforcing accountability.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2226 include concerns about the potential for arbitrary or excessive enforcement actions against individuals serving postrelease supervision. Critics may argue that the bill could lead to increased rates of recidivism if former offenders are returned to custody without a fair adjudication of violations—particularly in cases where minor infractions are involved. This raises questions about balancing public safety with the rights of individuals who have already served their sentences and are attempting to reintegrate into society.