I would like to know if anyone knows the procedure in getting an inmates name on the special parole dockets that are resuming. These dockets are for the nonviolent offenders as a way to help ease the prison overcrowding in Alabama. If anyone has ANY info that you could share i would GREATLY appreciate it!! Thanks!!

First of all - Welcome to PTO! :)

It can happen (from what I understand) in a couple of ways. Has the person been up for parole already? If not, then you can ask for a "Parole Cut." Just call the parole board's office and ask to speak to someone about a Cut. They can give you more information. A friend of mine went to the parole board's office and inquired about her husband. They gave her an answer on the spot, after looking through his file. Just writing a letter won't usually get it - you have to take aggressive action! Call or go in person.

If the person has been denied parole already and has been set-off by 3-5 years, then there is a Review Committee that they have to go through. They can get their name before the Review Committee (after serving 2 years from their initial parole denial) by either getting the sentencing judge or district attorney to reccommend them. I wrote to the district attorney and he submitted my husband's name for a parole cut, however it was based on health reasons. I had LOTS of documentation to back up the claims that my husband is sick and not getting any health care. My husband is also non-violent and is in on a technical parole violation. Because the board revoked or denied his parole, it is considered "Board Set" and the ONLY way to get around that is through the review committee.

In essence, if the person you are talking about went before the parole board already, then they have to wait at least 2 years to even be considered for a cut.

They have to be 6 month diciplinary free (though, usually the diciplinaries they REALLY look at are for drugs, alcohol, and violence).

They can go before the Review Committee at ANY time if there's health reasons.

Since they are so OVERCROWDED then there may be ways around this. I'm no expert, but I got this from the attorney that handled my husband's last parole hearing.