Correction, Dept. of

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act

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

What This Bill Does

• Requires the Department of Correction to develop a program that allows some parolees to end their parole early if they meet specific criteria.
• Sets rules for who can join this program, including having stable employment and no arrests or violations while on parole.
• Includes an earned time credit system similar to sentence reduction credits for inmates.
• Requires twice-yearly assessments of parolees' eligibility for the program.

Who It Names or Affects

• Parolees who meet certain requirements can join this early termination program.
• The Department of Correction must develop and manage this new program.

Terms To Know

earned time credit

A system that allows parolees to earn credits towards reducing their supervision period based on good behavior or meeting certain criteria.

sentence reduction credits

Credits earned by inmates in prison that can reduce the length of their sentence.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how many parolees will be eligible for this program.
• It is unclear what specific criteria are needed to achieve early termination and final discharge from parole.

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

HOUSE BILL 1057
By Mitchell

SENATE BILL 1103
By Campbell

SB1103
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.