Alabama’s Board of Pardons and Paroles finalized and issued their new parole guidelines on Thursday, following years of delays.
There are two major changes in the board’s new guidelines: there is an increase in weights based on the severity of the original offenses parole applicants are convicted of — meant to “better capture offenses that are classified as sexual and/or violent crimes,” according to a statement released by the board — and there is now more consideration given to applicant’s behavior while incarcerated.
Under the new guidelines, the board will look closer at an applicant’s behavior while incarcerated — both positive and negative. The board has said that the new guidelines will place more emphasis on disciplinary violations, but that additional consideration will also be given to applicants who have completed educational or vocational programs while incarcerated…