NC H697

Allows inmates serving life imprisonment without parole to become eligible for release through the Mutual Agreement Parole Program (MAPP) after serving a minimum of 20 years and completing mandatory educational, vocational, and work requirements.

Requires inmates to undergo assessment during their first five years of incarceration, then may be offered a 15-year MAPP contract that accounts for their behavioral, educational, and occupational needs.

Mandates participating inmates complete a GED or high school diploma, a vocational trade program, and work for Correction Enterprises or related programs with favorable employer evaluations to earn promotions.

Sets parole term at five years with five-year ineligibility for parole if an inmate violates parole conditions and returns to prison; inmates who do not comply with program requirements remain imprisoned for life.

Applies retroactively to inmates who have already served 20 or more years by August 1, 2021, offering them modified contracts of one to three years; all released inmates serve five years of post-release supervision.