Senate clarifies parole board authority to revoke for new crimes, rejects some objections

The Senate voted to restore language clarifying that the parole board may exercise discretion when an individual on parole or probation commits a new crime — including misdemeanors — and decide whether to treat the offense as a revocable violation or a technical violation.

Senator Hill explained the bill as responding to a Hinds County circuit court ruling that, in the court’s view, made the law unclear and restricted the parole board’s prior practice of revoking supervision for certain new crimes. The bill amends the statutory definition so that “technical violation does not include the commission of a new criminal offense by the probationer or parolee,” restoring the board’s prior discretion.

Questions from senators probed whether the change meant the board could revoke for any misdemeanor and whether the board’s action would be based on charge or conviction; Hill said the board historically made decisions based on the charge and the individual case history and would continue to exercise discretion. Senators asked about potential impacts on prison population; Hill said the board historically did not revoke for minor offenses such as simple speeding tickets and that the board would exercise judgment.

The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed final passage by roll-call; the clerk read a list of senators recorded as voting no, and the clerk announced the tally, saying “With 14 nays, the bill has passed.”

Supporters said the bill returns the parole board to its prior operational discretion and enables it to consider the seriousness of a new offense and the offender’s history when deciding whether to revoke. Critics had argued the language could be too broad and asked why specific offenses (for example DUI or domestic violence) were not enumerated; supporters said singling out specific misdemeanors could be problematic and the board needs case-by-case discretion.