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June 21, 2004
Sentencing in Alabama
For another interesting and important document concerning state sentencing systems, here is the recently released 2004 Annual Report of Alabama Sentencing Commission, which outlines the progress that has been made toward a reformed sentencing system for Alabama, the current state of Alabama's criminal justice system, and the recommendations of the Commission for further improvements.
As the report details, the Alabama Sentencing Commission is urging the Alabama Legislature to approve the Commission’s Sentencing Standards, which are a set of voluntary sentencing guidelines. In advocating for these Sentencing Standards, the Alabama Sentencing Commission tellingly states:
We believe everyone will recognize the value of the voluntary standards and realize that they are nothing like the federal guidelines or other state mandatory sentencing guidelines. Instead, they will preserve judicial discretion and promote sentencing uniformity. Moreover, these standards are the first step toward truth-in-sentencing and more informed sentences.
June 21, 2004 at 04:12 PM | Permalink
Comments
i am the wife of an alabama inmate tring to gether all info i can before going before the parole board ,my husband was given a thirty years sentence he has done 16 of that i am just tring to figure weither or not he has a chance of making parole this time
Posted by: PAM | Jan 20, 2005 8:32:57 AM
My brother is an Alabama inmate at St.Clair Correctional Facility. He was sentenced to a mandatory minimum of life without parole as a habitual offender. His crime did not fit the punishment. Years later, his lawyer has tried to get a reduction in his sentence but the judge in Morgan county refused, claiming he was a violent offender. Go to my website to read the story please. Is there anything that his lawyer can do now? Is it totally up to the sentencing judge? Thanks.
Posted by: CP | May 29, 2005 10:31:42 AM
I have a husband that is in St. Clair Correctional facility and he has a 20year sentence and come up for parole this year or the first of next year they say.Iwas wondering
what i can do to help him prepare for the parole board. Also my brother is in bibb county serving a life with parole and i was wondering what i can do about his case he has a charge of felony murder i need some advise please.
Posted by: lashandra | Aug 11, 2005 11:30:18 PM
I have a husband that is in St. Clair Correctional facility and he has a 20year sentence and come up for parole this year or the first of next year they say.Iwas wondering
what i can do to help him prepare for the parole board. Also my brother is in bibb county serving a life with parole and i was wondering what i can do about his case he has a charge of felony murder i need some advise please.
Posted by: lashandra | Aug 11, 2005 11:30:55 PM
Hello, I am a volunteer with THE SOUTHEREN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS in Atlanta, Georgia. I my duties include reponding to calls that come in from Georgia and Alabama's inmates and loved one who call the center looking for help. I am still in my learning curve and wish to stay abreast of all matters that concern incarceration in these two states.
Posted by: Kevin | Mar 6, 2006 3:48:11 PM
It has been almost a year since I posted my first comment about my brother in St. Clair.
Nothing has changed for him. His lawyer has given up, it seems; we never hear from him.
Our mother is living the last days of her life and will probably never see her son again.
Since my brother, Keith, was stabbed by another inmate, he has been kept in seg. He never gets to go outside or have the freedom to make phone calls like other inmates. They say it is for his protection since the guy who stabbed him is in general population... doesn't seem fair does it?
Just wanted to update. Thanks.
Posted by: CP | Apr 29, 2006 9:56:49 AM
As a current pre-law student, who will go on to law school, I have accidently stumbled upon this site. I am also an ex-offender. I went to prison three times, in three different states. I have been out of prison since 1987, so there is hope for all who desire to "turn it around."
Posted by: John | Jul 8, 2006 7:01:16 PM
I need some help in trying to figure out when m
my nephew comes up for parole he is doing
20yrs.
Posted by: dhangel | Aug 16, 2006 2:37:26 PM
Hi!! My sister is in prison and has been there for a liitle over a year know. She is twenty-three years old, and this was her first offense, but it is a serious one. I was wondering when she might be able to come up for parole?
Posted by: crystal | Jan 14, 2007 6:00:26 PM
Hi!! My sister is in prison and has been there for a liitle over a year know. She is twenty-three years old, and this was her first offense, but it is a serious one. I was wondering when she might be able to come up for parole?
Posted by: crystal | Jan 14, 2007 6:00:32 PM
I have a good friend at Kilby on a 14 year sentence. I am wondering how much time is usually served on a 14 year sentence and how long before he will get his first parole hearing. He received 552 days of jail credit.
Posted by: AJ | Feb 4, 2007 9:59:07 PM
Hey I have an idea, why don't you assholes stop breaking the laws and live by decent society! Quit crying like you all are the victims. You break the law, you pay the price. Give me a break.
Posted by: GGD | Jun 13, 2007 5:18:43 PM
I am a Surgical Nurse in Ohio. Trying to find out when Richard Stevens, inmate at Draper State Prison Elmore,Alabama, will be up for Parole. He murdered my sister July 2000 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
I am legal guardian of her children.
Thanks for any help
Posted by: | Jun 21, 2007 9:06:59 AM
My dad just got sentenced to a four year prison term on a sex offense. How much time will he have to do and will he be eligible for work release? They still have him at the county jail, he hasnt been processed through the state yet, is this time counting? He has no other record of any kind. We are not familiar with any of these regulations, what should we be doing? Any advise is appreciated.
Posted by: jennifer | Feb 22, 2008 6:14:34 AM
My boyfriend had a charge dropped on him that he got arrested for. On his trial date the judge gave him the same sentence he had for his last offense but took away the split. he had already done 2yrs of a 10yr sentence. will he b eligible for parole soon.
Posted by: jones | Feb 28, 2008 9:34:29 PM
My boyfriend father of my two children was booked for a 3rd degree domestic violence against his father. I understand that it's a class A misdemeanor, however, cannot locate anything in regards to the minimum time in jail, or if there is any. This is his first offense, nothing else is on his record other than a couple speeding tickets. Any idea what he's looking at in regards to time? Since this is a first time offense, any chance there won't be any. There wasn't any medical attention needed, etc.
Any help will be great!
Posted by: C | Jun 20, 2008 1:00:22 PM
My husband got a 20 year sentenced. Which he has already served 8 years? He went up for parole back in March but was denied. When will he be eligible for another hearing? Could there a possibility he could have another one soon since he non-violent? Any help will be great.
Posted by: keke | Jul 21, 2008 6:46:14 PM
can any one tell me how i can get a copy of a police report when the police will not give it to me i know they lied on it to get the indictment. please email me at [email protected]
Posted by: deborah holt | Sep 30, 2008 8:50:18 PM
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WHAT RIGHTS DOES AN INMATE HAVE TO FILE AN APPEAL IF HE IS SERVING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE?
Posted by: MICHELL | Apr 13, 2009 3:37:36 PM
My daughters father is in the St.Clair Correctional Facitity. We all believe his sentance was really harsh because it was a case of self defense.He took the plea because he was scared of death. He had problems with drugs and that is what led him to prision. It saddens me everytime i look unto my daughter and my in-laws eyes.The pain and the saddness we all feel everyday and the worry we all feel as well. My daughter has to go without her father and the bond they had.My daughter knows her father and knows that he is not a bad man like the judges try to make him,His parents have the feeling that they have lost their son and cannot see him marry or graduate college.He is not a bad person he simply had a drug problem he also he has had a very troubled childhood. Is there anything we can do to help him get out earlier. He is currently in the drug program. He is not schuduled for parole until 2022. please help!
Posted by: khesha | May 19, 2009 11:14:55 AM
I am the girlfriend of sn inmate who was sentenced to 40 years. He has done 17 years aslready. He is due for parole in 2011. what are the requirements for getting parole. If you can give me some feed back please.
Posted by: Torri Scott | Nov 19, 2009 6:27:10 PM
My dad is serving a 40 year sentece. He has already done 16 years in the state. He has gone up for parole once about 5 years ago and the denied him. He is not a trouble maker and he has done every thing he has been required to do by the state. He has very good behavior as reflected by his reccord. He has never been in prison before this. He is 62 years old. He is a diabetic. He will come up again in Jan 2010. My question is to wether or not he has a chance of making it this time? What are the requirments on making it? What can he do to better his chances? What can I do?
Posted by: mrs. Johnson | Dec 31, 2009 2:05:56 PM
We believe everyone will recognize the value
of the voluntary standards and realize that
they are nothing like the federal guidelines
or other state mandatory sentencing guidelines.
Instead, they will preserve judicial
discretion and promote sentencing uniformity.
Posted by: About Health Blog | Mar 3, 2011 7:25:35 AM
I am the wife of an alabama state inmate serving a 99 year sentence with parole as a habitual offender. i am seeking a sentence reduction and parole. the reality of it is he will have to be monitored for the rest of his life if he is free and i just feel like he deserves a chance i mean he will have to report monthly and live under the community notification act and i just think dang if he can live under those standards then he should be allowed to be free and if not then we all know the folks will send him right back to prison and there will be no chance of ever getting out!!! i have done alot of legwork with his case and preparing for his parole hearing i need assistance in filing the appropriate paperwork and advice anything else i might need to be prepared for.
Posted by: jennifer doss | Jul 23, 2011 10:09:54 PM
I am trying to find out what the guidlines of sentencing for theft and burglery are. I have been told that my son was sentenced outside the guidlines of the law for these two charges. He was given 30 years for burglery and 20 years for theft. If this is true what can we do about it.
Posted by: Billy Sloan | Nov 29, 2011 9:45:52 PM
I am still in my learning curve and wish to stay abreast of all matters that concern incarceration in these two states.
Posted by: Robe de Cocktail Pas Cher | Dec 12, 2012 1:23:25 AM
My childs father was sentenced to 20 years and a day.
He is now in work release I was wondering if anyone
Could tell me about how long he will have to serve before
He will be eligible for parole. He has served 3 years so far.
Posted by: jessica shirley | Oct 29, 2014 5:40:54 PM
I am a paralegal, and a sister of a brother who is serving a 32 year sentence without parole. He was accused of the crime in 1987 but convicted and sentenced in 2013 to the current laws, not the laws of 1987. I feel that his sentence should have been based on the old laws not the new laws but I do not know where to start to find out more information, etc.
Posted by: Patsy Ciaccio | Apr 23, 2015 4:58:06 PM
My husband got life with possible parole one life sentence he has been in 17 years just got moved to a level 4 camp at easterling correctional facility went there from st Clair my question is how long is one life sentence in alabama?? He's 41 He was 24 when he went in
Posted by: Melissa | Aug 11, 2015 6:34:41 PM
Please email me [email protected] with my answer thank u
Posted by: Melissa | Aug 11, 2015 6:36:10 PM
My husband has been in prison 17 years he got life with possible parole one life sentence they moved him from st Clair to easterling correctional facilitie which is a level 4 camp my question is how long is one life sentence in alabama?? He's 41 an was 24 when he went in email me with the answer please [email protected]
Posted by: Melissa | Aug 11, 2015 6:38:25 PM
How long is one life sentence in alabama??? My husband has been in prison 17 years goes up for parole 2018 for third time does the victim get to be at third parole?? I heard they aint allowed to come to thrid one please let me know
Posted by: melissa | Jan 18, 2016 8:27:49 PM
How long is one life sentence in alabama??? My husband has been in prison 17 years goes up for parole 2018 for third time does the victim get to be at third parole?? I heard they aint allowed to come to thrid one please let me know email me at [email protected] please
Posted by: melissa | Jan 18, 2016 8:30:55 PM
I have a friend that was given life without parole in Alabama. I would like to know how long that is in your state he will be in for 24yrs this march. If u could please send the answer to my email. Thank you for your time.
Posted by: mona | Jan 28, 2016 11:44:59 PM
My son is in Donaldson State Prison have life sentence without parole and the dead line for appeal is June 2016 and I do not have money to hire attorney, This is a over punishment for the crime, he is only 29 yr old and I would like to know if he can still file appeal after deadline. Please help me I only birth two sons and I lost one in 2011 and I am praying asking God to save my child from prison system. He deserve another chance in free world. H e had Lawyers misrepresent his case and people that testify lied on him. What can I do to help my child?
Posted by: Teresa | Apr 27, 2016 4:51:59 PM
Hello my husband is doing a life without parole in Alabama. He was sentenced at 19 and has now done 20 years. I am needing direction on how to get his case back into court or how sentence reduction works.
Posted by: Emily Ragan | Jul 11, 2016 12:56:11 AM
Hi my sister was murdered on 4/1/1981 in our parents home. At the same time our mother was assaulted. He was allowed to please bargain with out our knowledge. We were told that he would accept anything but the death sentence so they gave him life without Parole and we believed that for 10 years and that is when we found out we had been lied to. When I pull him up on the prison site it shows that he was sentenced to 999year 99months and 99day. In the state of alabama do you not have to serve a third of your sentence before you can be considered for parole. We have also been notified that he is coming up for parole again next month. What is our chances of keeping him in prison again and also if the prison sentencing guidelines are changed are they allowed to reset his sentence. Thanks for any answers you can help me with.
Posted by: Gwen Bodiford | Jan 17, 2017 10:19:33 PM
Hi I am the girlfriend of an inmate he was sentence to 17 year for a non violent crime he spent 12 months in county before they moved him to the prison and has been in the prison since December of 2016 my question is how long till he can go up for parole or get out
Posted by: Heather | Sep 1, 2017 9:26:17 PM
wow I am the mother of a 16 year old murder victim. I look at all these pleas for reduced sentence and parole. I say if they committed murder the only fair sentence is life with out parole. My baby don't get a do over and I live a life sentence. I will not hear I love you mom. tired of seeing the criminal made into the victim. if anything we need to take judicial judgement away from liberal judges. all murderers need to do a life sentence or the death penalty. Mercy to the guilty is punishment to the victim.
Posted by: DONNA HOWELL | Jul 26, 2018 1:13:48 AM
