Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles board proposes changes to scoring guidelines
ALABAMA (WHNT) — The Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles board released a new set of guidelines that could change who can get a second chance. However, it doesn't make it easier for some to get that fresh start.
Just like in golf, a high Baseline Parole Guideline Total Score isn't a good thing.
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons & Paroles has a whole scoring system it uses when suggesting that a judge grant an inmate parole.
Based on the current standards revised in 2020, an inmate could be suggested for parole if they score 0-7. This score scale would also suggest that a judge denies parole for an inmate if they score an 8 or higher.
The guidelines, as they stand now, rank inmates in six categories:
Severity of Offense of Conviction
Actuarial Assessments
Institutional Behavior
Participation in Risk-Reducing Programming/Treatment
Reentry Progress
Stakeholder and Community Input
'The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles considers relevant offender information when making parole decisions, including static and dynamic risk factors, individual factors, and stakeholder input, while applying professional judgment in each case. The Parole Guidelines ensure the consistent review of certain common decisional factors for all offenders. The Baseline Score is used in conjunction with the individual case review and parole hearing as the Board considers the offender's parole readiness.'
Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles
Below are the current guidelines for granting an inmate parole.
ABPP-Form-2-Parole-Guidelines-Revised-07.13.20Download
The 2025 proposed parole changes, posted on May 14, add more specific scores/categories, take away some of the scoring categories, as well as make the final total score more detailed.
The proposed changes (indicated by bold letters/numbers) by the board are:
Current Guidelines- 2020
Proposed Revision Guidelines- 2025
1. Severity of Offense of ConvictionLow = +0Moderate = +1High = +2
1. Severity of Offense of ConvictionLow = +1Moderate = +2 High = +3Very High = +4
2. Actuarial AssessmentsNO CHANGES
2. Actuarial AssessmentsNO CHANGES
3. Institutional Behavior0 disciplinaries within last 12 months = +01 disciplinary involving violence w/in last 12 months = +22 or more disciplinaries involving violence w/in last 12 months = +51 or more non-violent disciplinaries w/in 12 months = +1
3. Institutional Behavior0 disciplinaries within last 12 months = +01 or 2 non-violent disciplinaries within last 12 months = +13 or more non-violent disciplinaries within last 12 months = +21 disciplinary involving violence within last 12 months = +3Multiple disciplinaries involving violence within last 12 months = +5
4. Participation in Risk-Reducing Programming/TreatmentCompletion of required programs = +0Deficient programs, reasonable efforts made = +0Deficient programs, no reasonable effort made = +2Deficient Programs, unacceptable compliance = +3
4. Participation in Risk-Reducing Programming/TreatmentCompletion required programs = +0Deficient programming = +2Refusal/unacceptable compliance = +3
5. Reentry PlanNO CHANGE
5. Reentry PlanNO CHANGE
6. Stakeholder and Community InputSupport = +0Neutral/none = +1Opposition = +2
6. Stakeholder and Community InputSupport only, with no opposition = +0Support and opposition, or no input = +1 Opposition only = +2
Baseline Parole Guideline Total ScoreSuggest Parole Grant = 0-7Suggest Parole Denial = 8+
Baseline Parole Guideline Total ScoreSuggest Parole Grant = 0-5Neutral = 6-8Suggest Parole Denial = 9+
The final date for public comment and completion of the notice is July 4, 2025.
You can view the revised parole guidelines below.
Pardons_and_Paroles_Alabama_Board_of_–_Repeal_and_Replace_Rule_640-X-A-2_ProposalDownload
News 19 has reached out to the Alabama Department of Corrections for a statement on these proposed guidelines, but has not received a response.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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