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Beth Shelburne

Resuming parole hearings is not enough

On December 18, 2019, I watched Alabama’s parole board deny relief to every case it considered that day. It was the last day of parole hearings for the year, and I decided to observe the process in action after monitoring the data for months as paroles plummeted like an elevator with snapped cables. Under new … Continued
April 24, 2020

Parole Suspensions Play Politics With People’s Freedom

Belinda Brown’s birthday is Monday. She was hoping her son’s freedom would be the best gift she’s ever received. For months, Belinda and her husband, Marion had planned to drive to Montgomery next Tuesday to ask Alabama’s parole board to approve their son’s parole and set him free. Eric Brown has spent the last 19 … Continued
September 14, 2019

ACLU of Alabama responds to use of misleading term

Recently the Alabama Daily News published a story about parole with a misleading headline that stated, “State data shows more violent inmates receive parole.” It’s true that Alabama parole rates have increased in recent years, but not necessarily because more violent people are getting out of prison early. Let’s address the term “violent inmate.” The … Continued
August 13, 2019