HB 40 by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, and HB 43 by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, would be important steps toward a more sensible and effective justice system in Alabama.
HB 40 would modernize our state’s failed parole system. It would provide additional oversight of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and require the board to follow its own guidelines. The bill also would allow courts to review decisions to deny parole. These changes would help ease prison overcrowding in Alabama, and they would help ensure that people who are ready to reenter society aren’t spending more time than necessary behind bars.
HB 43 would allow judges more discretion to impose split sentences. This would allow more people to serve part of their sentences in community corrections and to work through an alternative court program when they are released.
Please email your state representative before Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and ask them to vote YES on HB 40 and HB 43.