Sentencing Commission Study of Parole Board Data (language only)

Item 48 #1s

Language
Page 31, at the beginning of line 22, insert "A."
Page 31, following line 31, insert:
"B. The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission shall review the status of all offenders housed in state facilities operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections who are subject to consideration for parole.  The purpose of the review is to determine the numbers of such offenders who have already, or will within the next six years, serve an amount of time in prison, which would be equal to or more than the amount of time for which they would have been sentenced for the same offense, and under the same circumstances, under the current sentencing guidelines system.  The review shall include consideration of the numbers and types of older offenders who may be eligible for geriatric release.  The Department of Corrections and the Virginia Parole Board shall provide all necessary information and assistance in carrying out this review.  This review shall be presented to the Secretary of Public Safety, the Chairmen of the Senate and House Courts of Justice Committees, the Chairman of the Virginia State Crime Commission, and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by September 1, 2009.

Explanation
(This amendment directs the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to review the extent to which inmates who are eligible for parole may have already served as much time as they would have served had they been sentenced for the same offense under the current sentencing guidelines.)