Alabama’s parole grant rate for eligible inmates has increased to 20.4%, the highest level since 2019, according to a new report. The rise in approvals comes following years of declining parole rates and increasing public and legal pressure.
Advocates for reforming the parole board attribute the increase in parole grants to mounting pressure from the public and ongoing litigation. State Representative Chris England recently commended the efforts of families of incarcerated individuals for pushing for change during a public hearing on prison reform.
Alabama’s overcrowded prisons have been a point of contention, with low parole grant rates being a major issue. The state’s parole grant rates dropped from 53% in 2018 to just 8% in 2023. Critics have accused the parole board of discriminatory practices and maintaining a low release rate to ensure a steady supply of prison laborers.
The Alabama Department of Corrections has not commented on the ongoing lawsuit against the parole board, which alleges discriminatory parole practices. However, attorney Lauren Faraino, representing the plaintiffs, credits the recent increase in parole rates to heightened public scrutiny.
While progress has been made in increasing parole rates for low-risk inmates, racial disparities still exist in parole approvals. In the most recent report, Black inmates were granted parole at a rate of 15% compared to 26% for white inmates.
Overall, the parole board granted parole to 379 inmates this fiscal year as of May, representing a significant increase compared to the previous year. The push for reform in Alabama’s parole system continues, with efforts to address racial disparities and improve fairness in decision-making processes.
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