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SB 324

Pardons and Paroles Board; increase members on board; further provide for selection of chair; parole consideration guidelines after denial of parole established

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Clyde Chambliss

Alabama expands Pardons and Paroles Board membership, restructures chair selection, and establishes new parole reconsideration procedures following denials.

Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Judiciary)
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Bill Summary · SB 324

Legislative bill overview

SB 324 increases the membership size of Alabama's Pardons and Paroles Board, modifies the selection process for the board chair, and establishes new guidelines for how the board must consider parole applications after an initial denial. The bill has progressed through committee review and is currently on the House calendar for consideration.

Why is this important

The composition and procedures of parole boards directly affect thousands of incarcerated individuals' release eligibility and prison populations. Changes to board size, leadership selection, and reconsideration guidelines can shift how consistently and transparently parole decisions are made, with consequences for both public safety and individual liberty interests.

Potential points of contention

  • Board expansion costs: Increasing board membership raises questions about staffing expenses, training requirements, and whether the state budget adequately funds these additions
  • Consistency in decisions: New reconsideration guidelines may create procedural hurdles or opportunities for parole denial reversal, generating debate between criminal justice reformers and public safety advocates
  • Chair selection politics: Changes to how the board chair is selected could shift power dynamics and raise concerns about whether leadership decisions become more politicized or more merit-based

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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