SB157 Alabama 2025 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Will BarfootSenator
Republican
Session: 2025 Regular Session
Title: Pardons and Paroles Board; allow inmates to participate in parole hearing virtually
Summary: SB157 would let inmates attend parole hearings remotely (by phone or video) and set rules for how those remote hearings work.
What This Bill Does
The bill lets an inmate participate in a parole hearing remotely by telephone, video conference, or a similar system. Victims, their families, and other participants such as advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors can join remotely and hear or see the inmate’s statements. If a victim chooses not to allow interaction, the inmate cannot see or interact with them, and the hearing can be suspended if the remote system fails. The Board would choose the communication method (video is preferred), inmates can waive this right, and the act takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects
Inmates — would be allowed to participate in parole hearings remotely.
Victims and victims' families — would have the option to hear or see the inmate’s statements and may control whether the inmate hears or interacts with them.
Other participants (crime victim advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors) — would be able to participate remotely.
The Board of Pardons and Paroles — would oversee and set the remote hearing procedures, including preferred methods of communication.

Key Provisions
Allows an inmate to participate in parole hearings remotely via telephone, video conference, or similar system.
Permits victims, victims' families, and others representing victims to hear or see the inmate's statements via remote participation.
Allows other participants (advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors) to participate remotely.
If the victim chooses not to allow interaction, the inmate cannot see/hear interact with them; the hearing can be suspended if the remote system fails.
Inmate rights to participate can be waived by the inmate.
Only individuals authorized to speak under Board rules may participate; the Board controls the system used, with video preferred.
Effective date of October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Incarceration