Changes to the parole review process are being implemented for violent offenders. | Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash
Changes to the parole review process are being implemented for violent offenders. | Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash
Victims of violent crime will no longer have to relive their past at parole hearings after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4562 and 4563.
According to the governor’s office, the bills will modify the Michigan Corrections Code to permit the Michigan Parole Board to reject parole for violent inmates “for up to five years after a majority vote and written report,” a March 11 press release stated.
"This legislation is (a) smart policy that all of us can agree on," said Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-65) in the release. "Working across the aisle with State Representative Witwer is evidence that when working together for the health and safety of our constituents in mind, the legislature can be a force to be reckoned with. I am thankful that Prosecutor (Doug) Lloyd brought this commonsense policy to us to advocate and fight for survivors of heinous crimes, like Randy Gilbert and others that have had to live and relive the details of their trauma year after year with the parole board."
Lightner introduced HB 4562, which permits the parole board to complete parole reviews for prisoners who were denied parole within five years after being denied parole under certain circumstances, according to the release. The bill also adjusts various reporting rules.
Rep. Angela Witwer (D-71) co-sponsored HB 4563, which calls for majority vote approval for all parole board approvals, unless otherwise specified by a parole board code, the release stated.
"I am relieved to see these bills signed into law, and I hope that victims and their families can rest more easily," Witwer said in the release. "I grew up down the road from one of Don Miller's victims. Governor Whitmer did the right thing by signing these bills before he was once again up for parole and before the families were revictimized and had to testify."
Ensuring the safety of the community from violent criminals is a priority, Whitmer said in the release. She said she modified the state budget for 2023 to allow for cities to retain and recruit law enforcement officers and first responders.
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