Mississippi's Senate Bill 2795 Would Make More Inmates Eligible for Parole

Mississippi is trying to make amends by enacting certain parole reforms. Senate Bill 2795 would serve to lessen parole regulations, making it easier for inmates to be released. This is important because Mississippi is home to the nation's strictest parole regulations, which ultimately leads to a surge in prison populations. Lawmakers want to use this bill to correct behavior and provide hope to inmates.
Senate Bill 2795 will have two significant changes. First, nonviolent offenses are eligible for parole at 25% of their sentence or 10 years,Aiwhichever comes first. Currently inmates are only eligible after serving 25%, which can be much longer than 10 years. The second change affects parole regulations for armed robberies and would allow inmates to be eligible for parole after serving 60% of their sentences. Current law does not allow eligibility for this crime at all.

The only way Mississippi will pass this bill is with Governor Tate Reeves's signature. Many believe the Governor's approval is highly unlikely, as he vetoed a similar bill last year. Supporters of the bill argue the bill will bring hope to the inmates and save state taxpayers money by creating a smaller inmate population. They also point out that inmates will not automatically be released after the bill passes, it only offers the possibility of more offenders receiving parole,Aithey would still have to demonstrate good behavior and reformed character to be released. It's worth noting that the U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating Mississippi's prison system, as the state has allowed for poor conditions and has failed to protect prisoners from harm. Lessening the prison population would be an excellent way to show the federal government that they are making moves to correct the system's flaws.

We hope the Governor signs the bill into law and that more prisoners are given the opportunity to escape the vicious cycle of the criminal justice system. If you feel trapped or burdened by your criminal record, we might be able to help. Get in touch with Easy Expunctions to discuss your options and see if we can scrub your record clean.