The bill amends existing laws regarding the parole process for inmates sentenced to life imprisonment in New Mexico. It establishes that such inmates become eligible for parole hearings after serving thirty years, which is defined as the retributive portion of their life sentence. The parole board's considerations for granting parole will now include the inmate's compliance with institutional rules, participation in educational or vocational programs, and overall readiness for reintegration into society. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for the board to hear from the victim's family or representative during the parole consideration process. Other amendments include a more detailed assessment of the inmate's criminal history and the circumstances surrounding their offense, while also ensuring that parole is in the best interest of both society and the inmate.

Furthermore, the bill outlines a revised process for the removal of parole board members, stipulating that they can only be removed for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, with a formal hearing required before removal. It also mandates that the parole board must conscientiously schedule hearings in homicide cases, avoiding dates that coincide with the anniversaries of the birth or death of the victims involved. The bill aims to enhance the parole process's fairness and transparency while ensuring that the rights and concerns of victims and their families are adequately addressed.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 31-21-10, 31-21-22, 31-21-24