Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles denies many parole requests, grants multiple pardons and several paroles with conditions

The Alabama Board of Pardons & Paroles met in open session on Jan. 21, 2026, in Montgomery to consider its regular parole and pardon docket. Chair Hal Nash and Board Member Gabrelle Simmons recorded votes on dozens of cases; Board Secretary Nicole Lewis recorded the minutes.

The board denied a substantial number of parole requests, commonly setting reset-review dates ranging from mid-2026 through 2031. Victim advocates, most prominently Harriet Provitt and Samuel Provitt Jr., repeatedly urged denial in several homicide-related cases; community advocate Ky Toria Lawson (VOCAL) and Jackie Fowler, a victim services officer with the Attorney General’s Office, also appeared frequently in opposition. In multiple instances the board denied parole and set reset dates of Jan. 2030 for AIS# 173734 (Walter A. Bailey), AIS# 173730 (Johnny Williams) and AIS# 174804 (Reco L. Williams).

The board granted parole in several cases with special conditions intended to support reentry. For example, AIS# 140824 (Sammy J. White) and AIS# 203943 (Nancy F. Hudson) were granted parole conditional on completing an approved halfway house, wearing a GPS ankle monitor, participating in mental-health follow-up and completing a drug assessment upon release. AIS# 232028 (Michael L. Severson) was approved for parole with placement in the Perry County Probation/Parole Reentry Education Program (PREP) and referral to Redemption Earned for reentry assistance. AIS# 271200 (Brad M. Walker) was approved with PREP conditions; AIS# 165028 (Terry France) was approved conditioned on completion of the Opelika Day Reporting…