2007 Montana Legislature

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HOUSE BILL NO. 452

INTRODUCED BY D. KOTTEL


AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT ACHIEVEMENT CREDIT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO A PAROLEE THAT MAY REDUCE SUPERVISED TIME SPENT ON PAROLE; AND AMENDING SECTION 46-23-1021, MCA.

 

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT ACHIEVEMENT CREDIT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO A PAROLEE THAT MAY REDUCE SUPERVISED TIME SPENT ON PAROLE; AND AMENDING SECTION 46-23-1021, MCA.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     Section 1.  Parole achievement credit. (1) The department shall acknowledge achievements by a parolee who, by completion of an activity described in subsection (2), has shown a willingness to reenter society as a productive and responsible member.

     (2) The department shall acknowledge achievements, such as:

     (a) obtaining a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma;

     (b) obtaining a degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution;

     (c) completion of an approved apprenticeship program;

     (d) completion of an accredited vocational certification program;

     (e) employment of at least 20 scheduled hours a week, for 6 or more months;

     (f) attendance at a faith-based, social service, or rehabilitation activity for 6 or more months; or

     (g) any other achievement designated by a department rule.

 

     Section 2.  Section 46-23-1021, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-1021.  Supervision on parole. (1) The department shall retain custody of all persons placed on parole and shall supervise the persons during their parole periods in accordance with the conditions set by the board.

     (2)  The department shall assign personnel to assist a person who is eligible for parole in preparing a parole plan. Department personnel shall make a report of their efforts and findings to the board prior to its consideration of the case of the eligible person.

     (3)  A copy of the conditions of parole must be signed by the parolee and given to the parolee and to the parolee's probation and parole officer, who shall report on the parolee's progress under the rules of the board.

     (4)  The probation and parole officer shall regularly advise and consult with the parolee, assist the parolee in adjusting to community life, and inform the parolee of the restoration of rights on successful completion of the sentence.

     (5)  The probation and parole officer shall keep records as the board or department may require. All records must be entered in the master file of the individual.

     (6)  (a) Upon recommendation of the probation and parole officer, the board may conditionally discharge a parolee from supervision before expiration of the parolee's sentence if the board determines that a conditional discharge from supervision is in the best interests of the parolee and society and will not present unreasonable risk of danger to the victim of the offense.

     (b) Any of the achievements listed in [section 1(2)] must be considered a significant achievement by the board in deciding whether to grant a conditional discharge from supervision to a parolee.

     (c) If the board discharges a parolee from supervision, the department is relieved of the obligation of supervising the parolee.

     (d) For good cause, the board may return a parolee who was conditionally discharged to the status of a regular parolee.

     (b)(e)  Subsection (6)(a) does not prohibit the board from revoking the parole, as provided in 46-23-1025, of a parolee who has been conditionally discharged from supervision.

     (c)(f)  If the department certifies to the board that the workload of a district probation and parole office has exceeded the optimum workload for the district over the preceding 60 days, the board may not parole a prisoner to that district office unless it grants a conditional discharge to a parolee being supervised by that district office. The department may recommend parolees to the board for conditional discharge. The board may accept or reject the recommendations of the department. The department shall determine the optimum workload for each district probation and parole office."

 

     Section 3.  Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 46, chapter 23, part 10, and the provisions of Title 46, chapter 23, part 10, apply to [section 1].

- END -

 


Latest Version of HB 452 (HB0452.ENR)
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