Issuance of Parole Violation Warrant

(1) A parole violation warrant ordering imprisonment of a parolee may issue upon a finding that probable cause exists to believe the parolee has violated one or more conditions of parole. Service of the sentence ceases upon the issuance of a parole violation warrant. M.G.L. c. 127, § 149. (a) After a preliminary revocation hearing, Parole Board members may find that probable cause exists to believe that one or more conditions of parole were violated, and that good cause exists to hold the parolee in custody pending further revocation proceedings. (b) The following establish probable cause to believe that a parolee has violated one or more conditions of parole: a criminal conviction; a finding by the court of sufficient facts to enter a guilty finding; a probable cause finding after a hearing pursuant to M.G.L. c. 278, § 38 and Mass. R. Crim. P. 3; an indictment; or a showing of reasonable grounds to believe that a parolee has absconded from supervision. (2) A parole violation warrant issues only when authorized by a member of the Parole Board or, in emergency situations, by the Chair's designee.