Alabama Parole Approval Rate Remains Low Calls: In Alabama, only one in ten prison applicants secures parole, and a recent report is igniting calls for a revamp of the state’s parole system.
The ACLU’s Alabama Parole Watch Report, based on about 300 summer parole hearings, reveals a system contributing to overcrowding and racial disparities. It allegedly unjustly denies parole to individuals posing no public-safety threat.
Alison Mollman, ACLU of Alabama’s interim legal director, pointed out that even those cleared for community work release face an 85% parole denial rate.
“Many denied parole have a clean record, sometimes spanning decades,” she noted. “They’re working in our communities daily without issue.”
Reform advocates argue that the Parole Board deviates from its guidelines, leading to unfair denials without thorough risk assessment. Supporters of the current process prioritize public safety and victims’ concerns.
After a 2018 legislation overhaul, the Parole Board, per the ACLU report, faces opposition in three out of four hearings from the Attorney General’s office, resulting in frequent denials, even against a crime victim’s release preference.
Mollman stressed the need for victims to have choices beyond punitive paths.
Alabama lacks options for victims,” she said. “They’re told, ‘Support punishment or work with the DA or AG,’ and that’s it. We need more for victims.”
Mollman believes addressing racial disparities is possible, as Black parole applicants are twice as likely to be denied solely based on race. She proposes legal changes for accountability and options for denied applicants to appeal.
The report underscores the importance of a governor’s appointee to the board, ensuring a balance between public safety, rehabilitation, and punishment in parole rulings.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is the acceptance rate for parole?
In 2019, the grant rate for hearings varied widely, with determinately-sentenced youth offenders at 23 percent and hearings advanced by the Board at 51 percent (see Figure 5).
How does parole work in Alabama?
To be released from prison early, at least two out of three board members must agree to grant parole. Typically, an inmate becomes eligible for parole after serving either one-third of their sentence or 10 years, whichever is shorter.