2 weeks ago
A legislative committee connected Thursday precocious a measure to let authorities inmates, for nan first time, to speak by telephone aliases video convention astatine their parole hearings.
The House Judiciary Committee approved nan measure aft adding an amendment to springiness victims and rule enforcement officials nan action to besides participate by physics intends alternatively of driving to Montgomery for nan parole hearing.
The bill, which was approved successful nan Senate without a dissenting vote, now moves to nan Alabama House of Representatives to beryllium considered successful nan last 3 days of nan legislative session.
ALABAMA LAWMAKERS EYE GAMBLING COMPROMISE AS LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEARS ITS END
Alabama is 1 of 2 states that do not let inmates to speak astatine parole hearings.
"SB 312 gives nan incarcerated inmate nan expertise to participate successful nan proceeding and much importantly, it gives nan Parole Board different opportunity aliases an opportunity to mobility that inmate," Republican Sen. Will Barfoot, nan measure sponsor, said.
Exterior position of nan Alabama State Capitol connected March 22, 2020 successful Montgomery, Alabama. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
The support came aft earlier disagreements complete a connection that would person weakened nan measure by letting nan Parole Board determine whether inmates could participate.
Wanda Miller, executive head of VOCAL, a victims defense group, said her statement opposes nan measure because it believes nan existent strategy is adequate. Miller said unfortunate defense groups had suggested nan amendment to let victims and law enforcement officials to besides speak by telephone aliases video conference.
Barfoot said that will make it easier for victims and rule enforcement officials to participate successful hearings alternatively of "driving sometimes 3 hours to beryllium done a 10- aliases 15-minute hearing."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
If approved, nan measurement would go effective connected Oct. 1.
