AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT OFFENDERS WHO COMMITTED OFFENSES AFTER JUNE 30, 1995, AND SUCH OFFENDERS ARE SENTENCED FOR A VIOLENT OFFENSE MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AFTER SERVING 25% OR TEN YEARS OF THEIR SENTENCES, WHICHEVER IS LESS, AND TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-3.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN OFFENDERS MAY BE RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AFTER SERVING A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF A SENTENCE IMPOSED BY THE COURT; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST THREE MEMBERS OF THE PAROLE BOARD TO GRANT PAROLE TO AN INMATE CONVICTED OF A CRIME OF VIOLENCE AFTER JUNE 30, 1995; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF AT LEAST FOUR MEMBERS OF THE PAROLE BOARD TO GRANT PAROLE TO CERTAIN INMATES CONVICTED OF CAPITAL MURDER OR A SEX OFFENSE; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE PRINCIPAL PLACE FOR CONDUCTING PAROLE HEARINGS BY THE STATE PAROLE BOARD MUST BE AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY AT PARCHMAN; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 47-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE PAROLE BOARD TO ORDER A PSYCHIATRIC OR PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION WHEN THE BOARD DETERMINES SUCH EXAMINATION IS NEEDED TO MAKE A PAROLE DECISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 47-7-3, 47-7-3.2, 47-7-5, 47-7-15, 47-7-17