MINUTES

Of the meeting of the

BOARD OF PAROLE COMMISSIONERS

 

NOTE:            The following minutes have not yet been approved and are subject to revision at the next meeting of the Board.

 

July 23, 2003

 

The Board of Parole Commissioners held a public meeting on July 23, 2003 beginning at 9:15 AM at the following locations:

 

Conference room at the central office of the Department of Corrections located at 4070 Silver Sage Road, Carson City, NV video-conference to the Parole Board office at 2601 E. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV.

 

I.          Call to order, roll call 9:15 AM

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dorla Salling.  Present in Carson City were commissioners Goodson, Bisbee and Morrow and Chairman Salling.  Present in Las Vegas were Commissioners Morales, Bass and Hanebeck.  No members were absent.

 

Support staff and subject matter experts in attendance in Carson City:

 

Monica Howk, Executive Secretary

Michael Somps, Deputy Attorney General

David Smith, Management Analyst III (afternoon session)

Dr. James Austin of the George Washington University (afternoon session)

 

Members of the public in attendance:

 

Pat Hines of Nevada Cure attended in Carson City.  No members of the public attended at the Las Vegas location. 

 

II.         Approve the minutes from the May 16, 2003 meeting

 

MOTION:  Approve the minutes from the May 16, 2003 meeting

 


MADE BY: Commissioner Bass

 

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Morrow

 

VOTES IN FAVOR: Bass, Morales, Bisbee, Goodson, Hanebeck, Morrow, Salling

 

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

III.        Discussion and action on the recommendation by the Division of Parole and Probation for the early termination of parole on the following parolees (conducted in open session):

           

The Board discussed early termination of parole on Jerry Wood #18155.  There was a letter of recommendation for release of early parole from Amy Wright, Chief of the Division of Parole and Probation.  The Board discussed his inability to pay supervision fees due to his medical conditions. He has had a stable record.  While the board is recommending a early release from parole, the court has the final decision on this matter.   

 

MOTION:                    For a early termination of parole for Jerry Wood

 

MADE BY:                 Commissioner Morrow

 

SECONDED BY:      Commissioner Hanebeck

 

VOTES IN FAVOR:  Morales, Bisbee, Goodson, Hanebeck, Morrow, Salling

 

VOTES OPPOSED:             Bass

 

MOTION PASSED 6 - 1

 

The Board discussed the request for the early termination of parole on Buddy Ricks #09623 who has been on parole since 5-22-1987.  Several commissioners expressed concern that it would not be appropriate to recommend early release considering Mr. Ricks conviction.      

MOTION:        For a early termination of parole for Buddy Ricks

 

MADE BY:     Commissioner Morrow

 

SECONDED BY:      Commissioner Bisbee

 

VOTES IN FAVOR:  Morrow, Bisbee

 

VOTES OPPOSED:             Bass, Hanebeck, Goodson, Morales, Salling

 

MOTION FAILED 2 - 5.  No further action was taken on this request.

 


IV.       Discussion and action on the recommendation by the Division of Parole and

Probation for the early termination of parole on the following parolees:

 

Discussion and action was conducted during agenda item III in open session.  No action taken on this agenda item.

 

V.        Audit report No. 03-07 by the Division of Internal Audits.  The Board will consider recommendations and take action in response to the audit and the solicitation for public comment requested by the Board at the May 16, 2003 meeting.

 

The Board discussed comments received regarding the elimination of face-to-face hearings from the May 16, 2003 Board meeting.  David Smith provided results from the board and public input.     

 

MOTION:   That the Board eliminate face to face hearings for inmates housed at Northern Nevada Restitution Center ( NNRC) those in residential confinement, (184) drug re-entry program and those who have failed their psych panel.

 

MADE BY: Commissioner Bisbee

 

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Morrow

 

VOTES IN FAVOR: Bass, Morales, Hanebeck, Bisbee, Goodson, Morrow, Salling

 

VOTES OPPOSED: None

 

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The board discussed options regarding face-to-face hearings for inmates not included in the previous discussion and motion.  

 

MOTION:  All inmates will be seen by the Board for their initial parole eligibility hearing (on each case), with the exception of those eliminated as stated above.  Inmates will be seen for subsequent face-to-face hearings at the discretion of the commissioner responsible for the case.

 

MADE BY: Commissioner Bisbee

 

SECONDED BY: Commissioner Goodson

 

VOTES IN FAVOR: Bass, Bisbee, Hanebeck, Morales, Morrow, Goodson, Salling

 

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Board adjourned at 11:00 AM and reconvened at 1:00 PM

 


VI        Parole standards. Input and discussion on study being conducted by Dr. James Austin of the George Washington University through a grant funded by the National Institute of  Corrections. Board may act to provide direction and guidance on this project and may choose risk factors that may be incorporated in a future risk assessment and/or parole guideline.

Dr. Austin provided two handouts and reviewed them with the Board.  One was the Nevada Parole Guidelines - Risk Assessment the other being the Comparison of Nevada and US Three year Recidivism Rates.  He developed a guideline draft tool for Nevada Parole commissioners to use for a trial period.  Necessary changes to draft will be made as recommended after the draft is used for a period of time.   

 

No action was taken on this agenda item.

 

 

VII       Public Comment.  No action may be taken upon  a matter raised under this term of the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be taken pursuant to subparagraph (2) of NRS. 241.010.

 

No public comment was given.

 

VIII      Adjournment

Chairman Salling adjourned the meeting at 2:25 PM