Parole hearings: use of photographs.

Senator Jones's parole reform measure would require the California Board of Parole Hearings to review crime scene photographs, autopsy photographs, and images of weapons used when evaluating parole applications from inmates serving life sentences.

The legislation adds these visual materials to the existing set of documents the Board must consider during parole hearings, which currently includes statements and recommendations from judges, district attorneys, sheriffs and other interested parties. Under the measure, the Board would need to document its consideration of these photographs in orders granting or denying parole. The bill maintains current requirements that inmates serve either seven years or their minimum sentenced term, whichever is greater, before becoming eligible for parole consideration.

The measure preserves existing exceptions for youth offender and elderly parole hearings, allowing qualified inmates in these categories to receive parole consideration according to established guidelines regardless of minimum term requirements. For inmates serving consecutive life sentences, the bill retains the requirement to complete minimum terms for each sentence before parole eligibility.