SB178 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Linda Coleman-MadisonSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Vivian Davis FiguresBobby D. SingletonRodger Smitherman

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Parole, Board of Pardons and Paroles, violations, confinement period for parole violation reduced for time served in holding, Sec. 15-22-32 am'd.

Summary

SB178 would credit time spent in holding toward confinement for parole violations and apply the change retroactively, with limits on total confinement and new parole-court procedures.

What This Bill Does

For parole violations (other than new arrests or absconding), it allows time already spent in holding before confinement to reduce the confinement term ordered by the board, and applies this change to people currently serving confinement. It keeps a 45-day cap per violation and allows up to three confinement periods, with total confinement not exceeding the original sentence. The bill creates a formal parole revocation process with parole courts and hearing officers, outlines hearing rights, and provides for possible non-confinement sanctions such as treatment or GPS monitoring; after confinement, the parolee automatically continues on parole for the remaining term.

Who It Affects

• Parolees who violate parole conditions: their confinement term can be shortened by time spent in holding, subject to a 45-day cap and a limit of three confinement periods, with retroactive effect for those currently incarcerated.
• The Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, sheriffs, and county jails: they must implement the new parole court process, guidelines, transfer/holding procedures, and related administrative changes.

Key Provisions

• Credit time spent in holding before confinement toward the confinement term for parole violations, with retroactive application to current violators.
• Per-violation confinement still capped at 45 days, and a maximum of three confinement periods under this provision; total confinement cannot exceed the original sentence.
• Time spent in holding before confinement cannot reduce the 45-day term by time already served; retroactive credit applies to holding time.
• Establishment of a parole revocation hearing process with a parole court and hearing officers, including rights to counsel, witnesses, and a hearing within 20 business days.
• Optional sanctions in lieu of confinement (behavioral treatment, substance treatment, GPS monitoring, or confinement in a consenting jail facility) with supervisor approval and waiver rights.
• The Board must adopt guidelines and procedures; documentation for confinement actions must be provided to the Department of Corrections within five business days.
• Automatic continuation on parole after confinement; parolee may be released back to parole for the remaining term.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pardons and Paroles