K.S.A. § 22-3717 — KS Code / Chapter 22 / Article 37 / Section 22-3717
22-3717 - Parole or postrelease supervision; eligibility; interviews, notices and hearings; rules and regulations; conditions of parole or postrelease supervision.
Status: in_force

22-3717. Parole or postrelease supervision; eligibility; interviews, notices and hearings; rules and regulations; conditions of parole or postrelease supervision. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section; K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628, prior to its repeal; K.S.A. 21-4624, 21-4635 through 21-4638 and 21-4642, prior to their repeal; K.S.A. 21-6617, 21-6620, 21-6623, 21-6624, 21-6625 and 21-6626, and amendments thereto; and K.S.A. 8-1567, and amendments thereto; an inmate, including an inmate sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4618, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6707, and amendments thereto, shall be eligible for parole after serving the entire minimum sentence imposed by the court, less good time credits.

(b) (1) An inmate sentenced to imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6617, and amendments thereto, shall not be eligible for parole.

(2) Except as provided by K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-4638, prior to their repeal, and K.S.A. 21-6620, 21-6623, 21-6624 and 21-6625, and amendments thereto, an inmate sentenced to imprisonment for the crime of: (A) Capital murder committed on or after July 1, 1994, shall be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of confinement, without deduction of any good time credits; (B) murder in the first degree based upon a finding of premeditated murder committed on or after July 1, 1994, but prior to July 1, 2014, shall be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of confinement, without deduction of any good time credits; and (C) murder in the first degree as described in K.S.A. 21-5402(a)(2), and amendments thereto, committed on or after July 1, 2014, shall be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of confinement, without deduction of any good time credits.

(3) Except as provided by subsections (b)(1), (b)(2) and (b)(5), K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628, prior to its repeal, K.S.A. 21-4635 through 21-4638, prior to their repeal, and K.S.A. 21-6620, 21-6623, 21-6624 and 21-6625, and amendments thereto, an inmate sentenced to imprisonment for an off-grid offense committed on or after July 1, 1993, but prior to July 1, 1999, shall be eligible for parole after serving 15 years of confinement, without deduction of any good time credits and an inmate sentenced to imprisonment for an off-grid offense committed on or after July 1, 1999, shall be eligible for parole after serving 20 years of confinement without deduction of any good time credits.

(4) Except as provided by K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628, prior to its repeal, an inmate sentenced for a class A felony committed before July 1, 1993, including an inmate sentenced pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4618, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6707, and amendments thereto, shall be eligible for parole after serving 15 years of confinement, without deduction of any good time credits.

(5) An inmate sentenced to imprisonment for a violation of K.S.A. 21-3402(a), prior to its repeal, committed on or after July 1, 1996, but prior to July 1, 1999, shall be eligible for parole after serving 10 years of confinement without deduction of any good time credits.

(6) An inmate sentenced to imprisonment pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4643, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6627, and amendments thereto, committed on or after July 1, 2006, shall be eligible for parole after serving the mandatory term of imprisonment without deduction of any good time credits.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e), if an inmate is sentenced to imprisonment for more than one crime and the sentences run consecutively, the inmate shall be eligible for parole after serving the total of:

(A) The aggregate minimum sentences, as determined pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4608, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6606, and amendments thereto, less good time credits for those crimes which are not class A felonies; and

(B) an additional 15 years, without deduction of good time credits, for each crime which is a class A felony.

(2) If an inmate is sentenced to imprisonment pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4643, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6627, and amendments thereto, for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2006, the inmate shall be eligible for parole after serving the mandatory term of imprisonment.

(d) (1) Persons sentenced for crimes, other than off-grid crimes, committed on or after July 1, 1993, or persons subject to subparagraph (G), will not be eligible for parole, but will be released to a mandatory period of postrelease supervision upon completion of the prison portion of their sentence as follows:

(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E), persons sentenced for nondrug severity levels 1 through 4 crimes, drug severity levels 1 and 2 crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993, but prior to July 1, 2012, and drug severity levels 1, 2 and 3 crimes committed on or after July 1, 2012, must serve 36 months on postrelease supervision.

(B) Except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E), persons sentenced for nondrug severity levels 5 and 6 crimes, drug severity level 3 crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993, but prior to July 1, 2012, and drug severity level 4 crimes committed on or after July 1, 2012, must serve 24 months on postrelease supervision.

(C) Except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E), persons sentenced for nondrug severity levels 7 through 10 crimes, drug severity level 4 crimes committed on or after July 1, 1993, but prior to July 1, 2012, and drug severity level 5 crimes committed on or after July 1, 2012, must serve 12 months on postrelease supervision.

(D) Persons sentenced to a term of imprisonment that includes a sentence for a sexually violent crime as defined in K.S.A. 22-3717, and amendments thereto, committed on or after July 1, 1993, but prior to July 1, 2006, a sexually motivated crime in which the offender has been ordered to register pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3717(d)(1)(D)(vii), and amendments thereto, electronic solicitation, K.S.A. 21-3523, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5509, and amendments thereto, or unlawful sexual relations, K.S.A. 21-3520, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5512, and amendments thereto, shall serve the period of postrelease supervision as provided in subsections (d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B) or (d)(1)(C), plus the amount of good time and program credit earned and retained pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4722, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6821, and amendments thereto, on postrelease supervision.

(i) If the sentencing judge finds substantial and compelling reasons to impose a departure based upon a finding that the current crime of conviction was sexually motivated, departure may be imposed to extend the postrelease supervision to a period of up to 60 months.

(ii) If the sentencing judge departs from the presumptive postrelease supervision period, the judge shall state on the record at the time of sentencing the substantial and compelling reasons for the departure. Departures in this section are subject to appeal pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4721, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6820, and amendments thereto.

(iii) In determining whether substantial and compelling reasons exist, the court shall consider:

(a) Written briefs or oral arguments submitted by either the defendant or the state;

(b) any evidence received during the proceeding;

(c) the presentence report, the victim's impact statement and any psychological evaluation as ordered by the court pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4714(e), prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6813(e), and amendments thereto; and

(d) any other evidence the court finds trustworthy and reliable.

(iv) The sentencing judge may order that a psychological evaluation be prepared and the recommended programming be completed by the offender. The department of corrections or the prisoner review board shall ensure that court ordered sex offender treatment be carried out.

(v) In carrying out the provisions of subsection (d)(1)(D), the court shall refer to K.S.A. 21-4718, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6817, and amendments thereto.

(vi) Upon petition and payment of any restitution ordered pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6604, and amendments thereto, the prisoner review board may provide for early discharge from the postrelease supervision period imposed pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(D)(i) upon completion of court ordered programs and completion of the presumptive postrelease supervision period, as determined by the crime of conviction, pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B) or (d)(1)(C). Early discharge from postrelease supervision is at the discretion of the board.

(vii) Persons convicted of crimes deemed sexually violent or sexually motivated shall be registered according to the offender registration act, K.S.A. 22-4901 through 22-4910, and amendments thereto.

(viii) Persons convicted of K.S.A. 21-3510 or 21-3511, prior to their repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5508, and amendments thereto, shall be required to participate in a treatment program for sex offenders during the postrelease supervision period.

(E) The period of postrelease supervision provided in subparagraphs (A) and (B) may be reduced by up to 12 months and the period of postrelease supervision provided in subparagraph (C) may be reduced by up to six months based on the offender's compliance with conditions of supervision and overall performance while on postrelease supervision. The reduction in the supervision period shall be on an earned basis pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the secretary of corrections.

(F) In cases where sentences for crimes from more than one severity level have been imposed, the offender shall serve the longest period of postrelease supervision as provided by this section available for any crime upon which sentence was imposed irrespective of the severity level of the crime. Supervision periods will not aggregate.

(G) (i) Except as provided in subsection (v), persons sentenced to imprisonment for a sexually violent crime committed on or after July 1, 2006, when the offender was 18 years of age or older, and who are released from prison, shall be released to a mandatory period of postrelease supervision for the duration of the person's natural life.

(ii) Persons sentenced to imprisonment for a sexually violent crime committed on or after the effective date of this act, when the offender was under 18 years of age, and who are released from prison, shall be released to a mandatory period of postrelease supervision for 60 months, plus the amount of good time and program credit earned and retained pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4722, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6821, and amendments thereto.

(2) Persons serving a period of postrelease supervision pursuant to subsections (d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B) or (d)(1)(C) may petition the prisoner review board for early discharge. Upon payment of restitution, the prisoner review board may provide for early discharge.

(3) Persons serving a period of incarceration for a supervision violation shall not have the period of postrelease supervision modified until such person is released and returned to postrelease supervision.

(4) Offenders whose crime of conviction was committed on or after July 1, 2013, and whose probation, assignment to a community correctional services program, suspension of sentence or nonprison sanction is revoked pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3716(c), and amendments thereto, or whose underlying prison term expires while serving a sanction pursuant to K.S.A. 22-3716(c), and amendments thereto, shall serve a period of postrelease supervision upon the completion of the underlying prison term.

(5) As used in this subsection, "sexually violent crime" means:

(A) Rape, K.S.A. 21-3502, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5503, and amendments thereto;

(B) indecent liberties with a child, K.S.A. 21-3503, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5506(a), and amendments thereto;

(C) aggravated indecent liberties with a child, K.S.A. 21-3504, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5506(b), and amendments thereto;

(D) criminal sodomy, K.S.A. 21-3505(a)(2) and (a)(3), prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5504(a)(3) and (a)(4), and amendments thereto;

(E) aggravated criminal sodomy, K.S.A. 21-3506, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5504(b), and amendments thereto;

(F) indecent solicitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3510, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5508(a), and amendments thereto;

(G) aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3511, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5508(b), and amendments thereto;

(H) sexual exploitation of a child, K.S.A. 21-3516, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5510, and amendments thereto;

(I) aggravated sexual battery, K.S.A. 21-3518, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5505(b), and amendments thereto;

(J) aggravated incest, K.S.A. 21-3603, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5604(b), and amendments thereto;

(K) aggravated human trafficking, as defined in K.S.A. 21-3447, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5426(b), and amendments thereto, if committed in whole or in part for the purpose of the sexual gratification of the defendant or another;

(L) internet trading in child pornography, as defined in K.S.A. 21-5514(a), and amendments thereto;

(M) aggravated internet trading in child pornography, as defined in K.S.A. 21-5514(b), and amendments thereto;

(N) commercial sexual exploitation of a child, as defined in K.S.A. 21-6422, and amendments thereto; or

(O) an attempt, conspiracy or criminal solicitation, as defined in K.S.A. 21-3301, 21-3302 or 21-3303, prior to their repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5301, 21-5302 or 21-5303, and amendments thereto, of a sexually violent crime as defined in this section.

(6) As used in this subsection, "sexually motivated" means that one of the purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of the defendant's sexual gratification.

(e) If an inmate is sentenced to imprisonment for a crime committed while on parole or conditional release, the inmate shall be eligible for parole as provided by subsection (c), except that the prisoner review board may postpone the inmate's parole eligibility date by assessing a penalty not exceeding the period of time which could have been assessed if the inmate's parole or conditional release had been violated for reasons other than conviction of a crime.

(f) If a person is sentenced to prison for a crime committed on or after July 1, 1993, while on probation, parole, conditional release or in a community corrections program, for a crime committed prior to July 1, 1993, and the person is not eligible for retroactive application of the sentencing guidelines and amendments thereto pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4724, prior to its repeal, the new sentence shall not be aggregated with the old sentence, but shall begin when the person is paroled or reaches the conditional release date on the old sentence. If the offender was past the offender's conditional release date at the time the new offense was committed, the new sentence shall not be aggregated with the old sentence but shall begin when the person is ordered released by the prisoner review board or reaches the maximum sentence expiration date on the old sentence, whichever is earlier. The new sentence shall then be served as otherwise provided by law. The period of postrelease supervision shall be based on the new sentence, except that those offenders whose old sentence is a term of imprisonment for life, imposed pursuant to K.S.A. 1993 Supp. 21-4628, prior to its repeal, or an indeterminate sentence with a maximum term of life imprisonment, for which there is no conditional release or maximum sentence expiration date, shall remain on postrelease supervision for life or until discharged from supervision by the prisoner review board.

(g) Subject to the provisions of this section, the prisoner review board may release on parole those persons confined in institutions who are eligible for parole when: (1) The board believes that the inmate should be released for hospitalization, deportation or to answer the warrant or other process of a court and is of the opinion that there is reasonable probability that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate; or (2) the secretary of corrections has reported to the board in writing that the inmate has satisfactorily completed the programs required by any agreement entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto, or any revision of such agreement, and the board believes that the inmate is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law abiding citizen and is of the opinion that there is reasonable probability that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate. Parole shall not be granted as an award of clemency and shall not be considered a reduction of sentence or a pardon.

(h) The prisoner review board shall hold a parole hearing at least the month prior to the month an inmate will be eligible for parole under subsections (a), (b) and (c). At least one month preceding the parole hearing, the county or district attorney of the county where the inmate was convicted shall give written notice of the time and place of the public comment sessions for the inmate to any victim of the inmate's crime who is alive and whose address is known to the county or district attorney or, if the victim is deceased, to the victim's family if the family's address is known to the county or district attorney. Except as otherwise provided, failure to notify pursuant to this section shall not be a reason to postpone a parole hearing. In the case of any inmate convicted of an off-grid felony or a class A felony, the secretary of corrections shall give written notice of the time and place of the public comment session for such inmate at least one month preceding the public comment session to any victim of such inmate's crime or the victim's family pursuant to K.S.A. 74-7338, and amendments thereto. If notification is not given to such victim or such victim's family in the case of any inmate convicted of an off-grid felony or a class A felony, the board shall postpone a decision on parole of the inmate to a time at least 30 days after notification is given as provided in this section. Nothing in this section shall create a cause of action against the state or an employee of the state acting within the scope of the employee's employment as a result of the failure to notify pursuant to this section. If granted parole, the inmate may be released on parole on the date specified by the board, but not earlier than the date the inmate is eligible for parole under subsections (a), (b) and (c). At each parole hearing and, if parole is not granted, at such intervals thereafter as it determines appropriate, the board shall consider: (1) Whether the inmate has satisfactorily completed the programs required by any agreement entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto, or any revision of such agreement; and (2) all pertinent information regarding such inmate, including, but not limited to, the circumstances of the offense of the inmate; the presentence report; the previous social history and criminal record of the inmate; the conduct, employment, and attitude of the inmate in prison; the reports of such physical and mental examinations as have been made, including, but not limited to, risk factors revealed by any risk assessment of the inmate; comments of the victim and the victim's family including in person comments, contemporaneous comments and prerecorded comments made by any technological means; comments of the public; official comments; any recommendation by the staff of the facility where the inmate is incarcerated; proportionality of the time the inmate has served to the sentence a person would receive under the Kansas sentencing guidelines for the conduct that resulted in the inmate's incarceration; and capacity of state correctional institutions.

(i) In those cases involving inmates sentenced for a crime committed after July 1, 1993, the prisoner review board will review the inmate's proposed release plan. The board may schedule a hearing if they desire. The board may impose any condition they deem necessary to insure public safety, aid in the reintegration of the inmate into the community, or items not completed under the agreement entered into under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto. The board may not advance or delay an inmate's release date. Every inmate while on postrelease supervision shall remain in the legal custody of the secretary of corrections and is subject to the orders of the secretary.

(j) (1) Before ordering the parole of any inmate, the prisoner review board shall have the inmate appear either in person or via a video conferencing format and shall interview the inmate unless impractical because of the inmate's physical or mental condition or absence from the institution. Every inmate while on parole shall remain in the legal custody of the secretary of corrections and is subject to the orders of the secretary. Whenever the board formally considers placing an inmate on parole and no agreement has been entered into with the inmate under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto, the board shall notify the inmate in writing of the reasons for not granting parole. If an agreement has been entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto, and the inmate has not satisfactorily completed the programs specified in the agreement, or any revision of such agreement, the board shall notify the inmate in writing of the specific programs the inmate must satisfactorily complete before parole will be granted. If parole is not granted only because of a failure to satisfactorily complete such programs, the board shall grant parole upon the secretary's certification that the inmate has successfully completed such programs. If an agreement has been entered under K.S.A. 75-5210a, and amendments thereto, and the secretary of corrections has reported to the board in writing that the inmate has satisfactorily completed the programs required by such agreement, or any revision thereof, the board shall not require further program participation. However, if the board determines that other pertinent information regarding the inmate warrants the inmate's not being released on parole, the board shall state in writing the reasons for not granting the parole. If parole is denied for an inmate sentenced for a crime other than a class A or class B felony or an off-grid felony, the board shall hold another parole hearing for the inmate not later than one year after the denial unless the board finds that it is not reasonable to expect that parole would be granted at a hearing if held in the next three years or during the interim period of a deferral. In such case, the board may defer subsequent parole hearings for up to three years but any such deferral by the board shall require the board to state the basis for its findings. If parole is denied for an inmate sentenced for a class A or class B felony or an off-grid felony, the board shall hold another parole hearing for the inmate not later than three years after the denial unless the board finds that it is not reasonable to expect that parole would be granted at a hearing if held in the next 10 years or during the interim period of a deferral. In such case, the board may defer subsequent parole hearings for up to 10 years, but any such deferral shall require the board to state the basis for its findings.

(2) Inmates sentenced for a class A or class B felony who have not had a board hearing in the five years prior to July 1, 2010, shall have such inmates' cases reviewed by the board on or before July 1, 2012. Such review shall begin with the inmates with the oldest deferral date and progress to the most recent. Such review shall be done utilizing existing resources unless the board determines that such resources are insufficient. If the board determines that such resources are insufficient, then the provisions of this paragraph are subject to appropriations therefor.

(k) (1) Parolees and persons on postrelease supervision shall be assigned, upon release, to the appropriate level of supervision pursuant to the criteria established by the secretary of corrections.

(2) Parolees and persons on postrelease supervision are, and shall agree in writing to be, subject to searches of the person and the person's effects, vehicle, residence and property by a parole officer or a department of corrections enforcement, apprehension and investigation officer, at any time of the day or night, with or without a search warrant and with or without cause. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize such officers to conduct arbitrary or capricious searches or searches for the sole purpose of harassment.

(3) Parolees and persons on postrelease supervision are, and shall agree in writing to be, subject to searches of the person and the person's effects, vehicle, residence and property by any law enforcement officer based on reasonable suspicion of the person violating conditions of parole or postrelease supervision or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Any law enforcement officer who conducts such a search shall submit a written report to the appropriate parole officer no later than the close of the next business day after such search. The written report shall include the facts leading to such search, the scope of such search and any findings resulting from such search.

(l) The prisoner review board shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with K.S.A. 77-415 et seq., and amendments thereto, not inconsistent with the law and as it may deem proper or necessary, with respect to the conduct of parole hearings, postrelease supervision reviews, revocation hearings, orders of restitution, reimbursement of expenditures by the state board of indigents' defense services and other conditions to be imposed upon parolees or releasees. Whenever an order for parole or postrelease supervision is issued it shall recite the conditions thereof.

(m) Whenever the prisoner review board orders the parole of an inmate or establishes conditions for an inmate placed on postrelease supervision, the board shall require that the inmate:

(1) Obey all laws and ordinances and report any law enforcement contact to the inmate's supervision officer within 24 hours after such contact;

(2) not engage in physical violence or threats of violence of any kind and, if the inmate is being supervised for conviction of a felony, not purchase or possess a dangerous weapon, including a firearm, while on supervision;

(3) report to the inmate's supervision officer as directed and be truthful in all matters;

(4) remain within the state of Kansas or other specified areas as defined by the defendant's supervision officer;

(5) reside at the inmate's approved residence unless the defendant receives permission from the inmate's supervision officer to relocate and notify the inmate's supervision officer within 24 hours after any emergency changes in residence or contact information;

(6) not possess, use or distribute any controlled substances except those prescribed by a licensed medical professional;

(7) not possess or consume any form of alcohol or intoxicating substance or enter any establishment where alcohol is sold or consumed as the primary business;

(8) submit to any form of alcohol or substance use testing directed by the inmate's supervision officer and not alter or tamper with the specimen or test;

(9) participate in assessment, treatment, programming and other directives of the court or the inmate's supervision officer;

(10) submit to searches of the person and the person's effects, vehicle, residence and property by a parole officer or a department of corrections enforcement, apprehension and investigation officer, at any time of the day or night, with or without a search warrant and with or without cause, except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize such officers to conduct arbitrary or capricious searches or searches for the sole purpose of harassment;

(11) submit to searches of the person and the person's effects, vehicle, residence and property by any law enforcement officer based on reasonable suspicion of the person violating conditions of parole or postrelease supervision or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity;

(12) refrain from contacting victims unless authorized by the board to contact a victim as part of rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes;

(13) pay the administrative fee imposed pursuant to K.S.A. 22-4529, and amendments thereto, unless the board finds compelling circumstances that would render payment unworkable; and

(14) unless the board finds compelling circumstances that would render a plan of payment unworkable, reimburse the state for all or part of the expenditures by the state board of indigents' defense services to provide counsel and other defense services to the person. In determining the amount and method of payment of such sum, the prisoner review board shall take account of the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden that the payment of such sum will impose. Such amount shall not exceed the amount claimed by appointed counsel on the payment voucher for indigents' defense services or the amount prescribed by the board of indigents' defense services reimbursement tables as provided in K.S.A. 22-4522, and amendments thereto, whichever is less, minus any previous payments for such services.

(n) Any law enforcement officer who conducts a search pursuant to subsection (m)(11) shall submit a written report to the inmate's parole officer not later than the close of business the next day after such search is conducted. The written report shall include the facts leading to such search, the scope of such search and any findings resulting from such search.

(o) If the court that sentenced an inmate specified at the time of sentencing the amount and the recipient of any restitution ordered as a condition of parole or postrelease supervision, the prisoner review board shall order as a condition of parole or postrelease supervision that the inmate pay restitution in the amount and manner provided in the journal entry unless the board finds compelling circumstances that would render a plan of restitution unworkable.

(p) Whenever the prisoner review board grants the parole of an inmate, the board, within 14 days of the date of the decision to grant parole, shall give written notice of the decision to the county or district attorney of the county where the inmate was sentenced.

(q) When an inmate is to be released on postrelease supervision, the secretary, within 30 days prior to release, shall provide the county or district attorney of the county where the inmate was sentenced written notice of the release date.

(r) Inmates shall be released on postrelease supervision upon the termination of the prison portion of their sentence. Time served while on postrelease supervision will vest.

(s) An inmate who is allocated regular good time credits as provided in K.S.A. 22-3725, and amendments thereto, may receive meritorious good time credits in increments of not more than 90 days per meritorious act. These credits may be awarded by the secretary of corrections when an inmate has acted in a heroic or outstanding manner in coming to the assistance of another person in a life-threatening situation, preventing injury or death to a person, preventing the destruction of property or taking actions that result in a financial savings to the state.

(t) The provisions of subsections (d)(1)(A), (d)(1)(B), (d)(1)(C) and (d)(1)(E) shall be applied retroactively as provided in subsection (u).

(u) For offenders sentenced prior to July 1, 2014, who are eligible for modification of their postrelease supervision obligation, the department of corrections shall modify the period of postrelease supervision as provided for by this section:

(1) On or before September 1, 2013, for offenders convicted of:

(A) Severity levels 9 and 10 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes;

(B) severity level 4 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed prior to July 1, 2012; and

(C) severity level 5 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed on and after July 1, 2012;

(2) on or before November 1, 2013, for offenders convicted of:

(A) Severity levels 6, 7 and 8 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes;

(B) level 3 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed prior to July 1, 2012; and

(C) level 4 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed on or after July 1, 2012; and

(3) on or before January 1, 2014, for offenders convicted of:

(A) Severity levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes;

(B) severity levels 1 and 2 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed at any time; and

(C) severity level 3 crimes on the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes committed on or after July 1, 2012.

(v) An inmate sentenced to imprisonment pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4643, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-6627, and amendments thereto, for crimes committed on or after July 1, 2006, shall be placed on parole for life and shall not be discharged from supervision by the prisoner review board. When the board orders the parole of an inmate pursuant to this subsection, the board shall order as a condition of parole that the inmate be electronically monitored for the duration of the inmate's natural life.

(w) Whenever the prisoner review board orders a person to be electronically monitored pursuant to this section, or the court orders a person to be electronically monitored pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6604(r), and amendments thereto, the board shall order the person to reimburse the state for all or part of the cost of such monitoring. In determining the amount and method of payment of such sum, the board shall take account of the financial resources of the person and the nature of the burden that the payment of such sum will impose.

(x) (1) On and after July 1, 2012, for any inmate who is a sex offender, as defined in K.S.A. 22-4902, and amendments thereto, whenever the prisoner review board orders the parole of such inmate or establishes conditions for such inmate placed on postrelease supervision, such inmate shall agree in writing to not possess pornographic materials.

(A) As used in this subsection, "pornographic materials" means any obscene material or performance depicting sexual conduct, sexual contact or a sexual performance; and any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct.

(B) As used in this subsection, all other terms have the meanings provided by K.S.A. 21-5510, and amendments thereto.

(2) The provisions of this subsection shall be applied retroactively to every sex offender, as defined in K.S.A. 22-4902, and amendments thereto, who is on parole or postrelease supervision on July 1, 2012. The prisoner review board shall obtain the written agreement required by this subsection from such offenders as soon as practicable.