Alabama’s Parole Grant Rate Plummets to 15% in April, Raising Concerns
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — According to a recent report from the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP), the state’s parole grant rate fell to a dismal 15% in April, marking the lowest level since November 2023. The report highlighted that only 40 of the 271 eligible inmates received parole, with the board’s conformance to its own guidelines at a mere 19%.
This drop in approval rates has ignited scrutiny, particularly given Alabama’s overcrowded prisons and concerns surrounding the ABPP’s inconsistent adherence to its scoring system for inmate releases. Notably, the conformance rate has declined consistently since November 2024, dropping from 37% that month to just 19% in April 2025.
Reform efforts are gaining traction, spearheaded by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, who has proposed multiple bills for enhanced oversight of the board, only to see them fail thus far. However, bipartisan support emerged this year following a proposal from Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, aimed at expanding board membership and changing the appointing authority for its chair.
Despite some legislative efforts failing to pass, an amendment to the 2026 General Fund budget compelled the ABPP to publish new guidelines—something it hadn’t accomplished since 2019. These guidelines are currently open for public comment until July 4, prompting skepticism among members of the Joint Prison Oversight Committee.
Additionally, racial disparities in parole rates remain a concern; fiscal year 2024 shows white inmates receiving parole at a rate of 23% compared to 19% for Black inmates, a shift from earlier months.
The prevailing decline in parole grant rates is stark compared to 2018, when the rate stood at 53%, following a downward trend since the introduction of reforms and new leadership. Alabama’s past efforts to improve parole outcomes face significant challenges as policymakers grapple with an increasingly troubled prison system.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
