MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A legislative committee on Thursday advanced a bill to allow state inmates, for the first time, to speak by phone or video conference at their parole hearings.
The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill after adding an amendment to give victims and law enforcement officials the option to also participate by electronic means instead of driving to Montgomery for the parole hearing.
The bill, which was approved in the Senate without a dissenting vote, now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives to be considered in the final three days of the legislative session.
Alabama is one of two states that do not allow inmates to speak at parole hearings.
“SB 312 gives the incarcerated inmate the ability to participate in the hearing and more importantly, it gives the Parole Board another opportunity or an opportunity to question that inmate,” Republican Sen. Will Barfoot, the bill sponsor, said.
Iowa investigator's email says athlete gambling sting was a chance to impress higher
Power transmission lines maintained in Shennongjia to alleviate snow impacts
Chinese armed forces deploy multiple rescue forces in response to Gansu earthquake
China to further enhance medical treatment for critical pregnant women
Dallas' Noltemy is named Los Angeles Philharmonic president
39 killed in deadly building fire in Jiangxi
Temperatures plunge to historic lows as severe cold fronts impact most of China
AI data training supported by domestic chips, supercomputers
Divisive? Not for moviegoers. ‘Civil War’ declares victory at box office.