Correction, Dept. of

Plain English Breakdown

The exact criteria and specifics of yearly assessments are left open to interpretation or future rulemaking by the Department of Correction.

The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Correction to create an early parole termination program for eligible parolees.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Correction to develop a program allowing certain parolees to end their parole early.
• Parolees must have stable employment, no violations or arrests, and completed all required programs to qualify.
• The program includes an earned time credit system similar to inmate sentence reduction credits.
• It requires yearly assessments for parolee eligibility in the program.
• Sets criteria for ending parole early based on performance.

Who It Names or Affects

• Parolees who meet specific requirements set by the Department of Correction.
• The Tennessee Department of Correction and its staff.

Terms To Know

earned time credit

A system that allows parolees to earn reductions in their supervision period based on good behavior and compliance with program requirements.

sentence reduction credits

Credits given to inmates for good behavior or participation in programs, which can reduce the length of their sentences.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how many parolees will be eligible for early termination.
• It is unclear what specific criteria the Department of Correction will use to assess parolee eligibility and performance.
• The effectiveness of the program in reducing recidivism rates remains unknown.

Official Summary Text

EARLY
PAROLE TERMINATION PROGRAM

This bill enacts
"The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act
,
"
which requires the department of correction to
develop an early parole termination program for parolees who have

(
i
)
m
aintained stable and verifiable employment f
or at least six consecutive months;

(
ii
)
r
emained law-abiding and free of any violations or arrests while on parole; and

(
iii
)
c
ompleted all rehabilitation and treatment programs as required by the sentencing court and the department.
The program must mee
t all of the following criteria:



Include an earned time credit system that is substantially similar to the sentence reduction credits available to inmates
under state law
, and provide for a gradual reduction of supervision with a goal of full discharge from parole after
five
years in the program
.



Require parolees to be assessed twice a year as to eligibility for participation in the program
.



Include criteria for a parolee to achieve early termination of and final discharge from parole by the director of probation and parole.

RULEMAKING

This bill authorizes the department of correction
to promulgate rules to effectuate
this bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1103
By Campbell

HOUSE BILL 1057
By Mitchell

HB1057
003146
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 40 and Title 41, relative to The Parole
Advancement and Reintegration Act.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as "The Parole Advancement and
Reintegration Act."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 28, Part 6, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) The department shall develop an early parole termination program for
parolees who have:
(1) Maintained stable and verifiable employment for at least six (6)
consecutive months;
(2) Remained law-abiding and free of any violations or arrests while on
parole; and
(3) Completed all rehabilitation and treatment programs as required by
the sentencing court and the department.
(b) The program must:
(1) Include an earned time credit system that is substantially similar to
the sentence reduction credits available to inmates under § 41-21-236, and
provide for a gradual reduction of supervision with a goal of full discharge from
parole after five (5) years in the program;
(2) Require parolees to be assessed twice a year as to eligibility for
participation in the program; and

- 2 - 003146

(3) Include criteria for a parolee to achieve early termination of and final
discharge from parole by the director of probation and parole.
SECTION 3. The department of correction is authorized to promulgate rules to
effectuate this act. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform
Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 5.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.