HB 435

Abstract

Parole Board; powers and duties. Provides that the Virginia Parole Board (the Board) shall review and decide the case of each prisoner who is eligible for parole no later than that part of the calendar year in which he becomes eligible and (i) every three years thereafter, until he is released on parole or discharged, provided that there are 10 years or more or life imprisonment remaining on the sentence in each case, or (ii) annually thereafter, until he is released on parole or discharged if there are fewer than 10 years remaining on the sentence in each case. The bill also provides that, as a part of the investigation before the Board decides to grant or deny parole, the Board shall, if applicable, review in its entirety the transcript from the trial that resulted in the conviction or convictions for which the inmate is currentlyserving a term of imprisonment.

Parole Board; powers and duties. Providesthat (i) no person shall be released on parole unless the decisionto grant parole is made unanimously by the Board; (ii) the frequencyfor review by the Board of an inmate eligible for parole is changedfrom at least annually to every three years after the initial reviewof the case; and (iii) as a part of the investigation before the Board decides to grant or deny parole, the Board shall, if applicable,review in its entirety the transcript from the trial that resultedin the conviction or convictions for which the inmate is currentlyserving a term of imprisonment.