MI HB5931

Department must develop parole guidelines consistent with public safety principles to govern parole board discretion on prisoner release decisions.

Parole guidelines must consider offense type, institutional program performance, institutional conduct, prior criminal record, and other relevant factors while avoiding disparities based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, or disability.

Parole board may depart from guidelines only for substantial and compelling reasons stated in writing, including institutional misconduct scores, victim harm evidence, pending felony charges, DNA matches to unadjudicated crimes, or legal bars to release.

Prisoners scoring high or medium probability of release on validated guidelines for controlled substance or nonassaultive offenses are presumed suitable for release upon minimum sentence completion unless substantial and compelling reasons apply.

Parole board must provide written notice of interview issues and concerns at least one month before hearing; prisoners denied parole must receive written explanation of reasons and recommendations for corrective action.