We are please to announce, Rep. Chris England has filed the Redemption Earned Parole Reform Bill: HB228.
Please contact your House member and ask for their support.

The Bill accomplishes the following:
(1) Mandates virtual appearance for parole-eligible individuals at their parole hearings.
(2) Establishes for those who are 50 yrs of age or older and have spent 10 years or ore in ADOC custody a maximum of 2 year set-off for next parole review after denial; in addition, when denied the ABP&P must enter recommendations which would enhance opportunity to be paroled;
(3) Mandates “weighted” consideration for serious health conditions;
(4) Mndates review/appeal to sentencing court if denied when serious health conditions are proven;

Please join in the effort to gain support for this legislation!

One of Redemption Earned wonderful supporters, penned a message to the house judiciary committee.
See Ralph Bishop’s heartfelt message below and consider doing the same. Thank you , Ralph.

Dear Representative _______,

My name is Ralph Bishop and my purpose in writing you this brief note is to ask you for your thoughtful consideration and approval of House Bill 228 (the “Alabama Parole Enhancement Act of 2023”).

As an attorney for over 35 years and as a former pastor in a large church in Birmingham, I have watched with concern as Alabama’s prisons and our prison parole process have become a political football rather than a system designed to pursue fairness and justice for everyone.  While public safety is always a priority for all of us, it is equally important to ensure that fairness and justice always prevail in the punishment and rehabilitation of men and women who have been convicted of crimes in our state.

As Christians, we also have a clear responsibility to be people who are known for our mercy and compassion, including to those in prison. This is especially true since the Lord has been so very merciful and compassionate to us.  While justice most certainly does include the appropriate punishment and rehabilitation for a crime, there is no doubt that in many situations (including those situations involving the sickest and the oldest in our prison population), justice also includes the consideration for mercy and compassion in the parole process.

I believe that House Bill 228 is a well-drafted bill that provides a safe and thoughtful process for parole consideration, especially to those men and women who have significant health issues.  This proposed law takes into account the relevant considerations for parole, including pubic safety, the number of years served, the rehabilitation of the prisoner, and the circumstances surrounding the age and the deteriorating health of the inmate. This law would not lower the bar for punishment, but would instead raise the bar for a state that sees the worth of each life created in God’s image, including those men and women that are in prison.

We must all remind ourselves of the clear expectations of Scripture found in James 2:13 – “You must show mercy to others, or God won’t show mercy to you… But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment (NCV)”.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of House Bill 228.

Ralph Bishop