Opinion ID: 183420
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The California Prison Parole Scheme

Text: The California Board of Parole Hearings (Board) has the power to allow prisoners imprisoned in the state prisons . . . to go upon parole outside the prison walls and enclosures. Cal.Penal Code § 3040 (2010). California prisoners who are serving sentences of life with the possibility of parole are not eligible for parole until they have served the greater of a term of seven years or [a] term as established pursuant to any other provision of law that establishes a minimum term or minimum period of confinement. Id. § 3046(a). The Board is required to conduct a prisoner's first parole hearing one year prior to the prisoner's minimum eligible parole release date. Id. § 3041(a). At the hearing, a paneltwo or more commissioners or deputy commissioners of the Board must first determine whether the prisoner is suitable for parole. See id. § 3041(b). The panel must find a prisoner suitable for parole and set a parole date unless it determines that the gravity of the current convicted offense or offenses, or the timing and gravity of current or past convicted offense or offenses, is such that consideration of the public safety requires a more lengthy period of incarceration for this individual, and that a parole date, therefore, cannot be fixed at this meeting. Id. The panel's fundamental consideration in parole decisions is public safety. In re Lawrence, 44 Cal.4th 1181, 82 Cal.Rptr.3d 169, 190 P.3d 535, 549 (2008). [T]he core determination of `public safety' . . . involves an assessment of an inmate's current dangerousness. Id. [1] The Governor may review and affirm, modify, or reverse a panel's suitability determination. Cal. Const. art. V, § 8(b); Cal.Penal Code § 3041.2. But, the Governor's review must be based on the same factors the Board is required to consider. Cal. Const. art. V, § 8(b). If the panel determines that the prisoner is unsuitable for parole at the time of the hearing, the panel must set the date for the prisoner's next parole hearing. Cal.Penal Code § 3041.5(a)(6). At the next hearing, a panel determines whether intervening changes have rendered the prisoner suitable for parole. Id. § 3041.5(c).