Inside Alabama's Parole Hearing Process

Alabama parole hearings are open public meetings, but a citizen must attend in person to get the full picture of the process. No official transcripts of hearings are taken, so a written record of testimony does not exist. Alabama is one of the only states in which parole candidates are not allowed to attend their own hearings.

In an effort to improve transparency, Smart Justice Alabama produced this video after attending the parole hearings conducted on April 13, 2022 at the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles in Montgomery, Alabama.

[debereisinger]

The law needs to be changed. An offender should be required to attend their own hearing! Crazy!

[dennismagee]

The moral of the story is do not to put yourself in a position where you are left to other people's decisions.

[markpickett]

Can we hear from the victim...OH that's right there dead.

[morrisx]

For 5 minutes that means .they already made their decision before these people spoke.

[nadinekeating]

If we were able to hear the facts of the crime, and hear about the progress (or lack of) he has made in prison... it would be easier to understand why they make the decisions they make (the parole board).

It seems like a lot of people see the term "Life with the possibility of parole" and automatically believe a person SHOULD be paroled after the set number of years they have to serve before parole eligibility. Being paroled isn't a right, it's a privilege. When you have a life sentence, you may as well just accept that you are most likely going to end up in prison until you die. Being paroled isn't a likely outcome for most inmates serving a life sentence.

Just because prisons are overcrowded and may be a violent place, doesn't justify someone's release.

[nadinekeating]

It's crazy that the inmate isn't allowed to attend their own parole hearing. 🤔
That doesn't seem right.

[TheStudderman]

I hate to make this political, but this is the difference between a red state and a blue state, left leaning states have support and encourage programs for inmate reform. Not for everyone, mainly first time offenders. I live in Md, and its mostly democratic in our state house. I was given 5 years for robbery. It was my first offense and I was given a shot in bootcamp, and then went in a re-entry program on parole. It worked! I been home almost 17 years, I have a family, two little girls and a wife. Yes, reform programs work with most first time offenders, when there’s no guidance, gangs and street life becomes more appealing. If you step in the way of that and redirect the thinking and attention of first time offenders, they are more easily to reform.
But when you only care about stats on your prison sheet, it looks like Alabama.

[garywright]

Thank you for taking us inside the parole hearing process, and thank you for all of the work that you do at ACLU of Alabama!

[wizardofahhhhhhz]

The board got it right. He’s only 40, and probably not even halfway through his life. He ended someone else’s life prematurely. He hasn’t done enough time for the crime, not nearly enough. My condolences and prayers go out to the family of the victim.

[michealwhitehead]

Alabama's a messed up state for a lot of reasons This is one of them.

[OffShoreSniper]

I got parole from Alabama and got a pardon after 7 years without anymore felony conviction. Full restoration of civil and political rights.

[flashoflight]

With such serious charges, he needs to do more than the bare minimum. Prison jobs, behaving well, and taking classes is just the bare minimum considering the murder and attempted murder charges had the possibility of the death penalty. How about getting the victim's family to support parole. He and his family have five years to work on that angle. It should be pretty obvioius he's never getting out unless the victim's family flips to support parole.

[duncanidaho]

The word is "murder"... 'nuff said.

[eastcoastguy]

Thank you for this video..truth is so harsh to watch…but it encourages me to become a better person everyday

[AustinCarlHansch]

If the board denies every inmate that is sentenced to life with parole then why not give them life without!

[abbyynorman]

WHY has this NOT been deemed “unconstitutional” & “injustice” due process? …& a review of the reasoning behind the decisions- a 17yr old now 40 needs release!

[Jaffacall]

I cant believe that man killed another person and is still in jail, what has the world come to!

[bobojames]

Good job Alabama parole board 👍👍👍 protecting the public is number one. I wish all sentences were served in full.

[sdmay]

Alabama is known for saying no. Texas has also gone to where offenders are not present during hearing. I like how Louisiana gives their offenders a chance.

[Synoopy]

I believe Alabama currently has the worst prison system in the country.