Background: Existing law does not allow incarcerated people to attend their own parole hearing. Due process is an essential part of our nation’s civil liberties, but Alabama is one of only two states that does not allow incarcerated people to participate in their own parole hearings. House Bill 33 would allow incarcerated people the option to attend and participate in their parole hearing virtually.
Our Position: We support HB33. The current practice of barring incarcerated people from their parole hearings blocks them from being present and participating where decisions are being made about their liberty. The ACLU of Alabama believes that incarcerated people are entitled to be present and to be heard at their parole hearings, not just subject to the decision afterwards.
