AL HB16

Creates the Criminal Justice Policy Development Council composed of 8 members including the Executive Director of the Alabama Sentencing Commission, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and legislative representatives, with the council to be dissolved January 1, 2026 unless extended by the Legislature.

Requires the council to complete by October 1, 2025: updating the inmate classification system, creating parole release guidelines, and adopting a validated risk and needs assessment for Alabama felony offenders, with quarterly progress reports to the Legislature beginning October 1, 2023.

Mandates the Board of Pardons and Paroles use parole release guidelines established by rule and requires the board to consider the prisoner's risk to reoffend, compliance with reentry plans, victim input, program participation, institutional behavior, offense severity, and prisoner statements.

Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide detailed written explanations when deviating from parole release guidelines and allows prisoners denied parole to appeal deviations from the guidelines to the Court of Criminal Appeals, with final appellate authority.

Takes effect on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.