Revocation Of Parole

(1) Parole Revocation. (a) If a Probation/Parole Officer having charge of an offender, has reasonable cause to believe that the offender has violated one or more of the conditions of parole in an important respect, such officer shall present such evidence to the Director or designee. (b) This report shall be in written form, and shall contain a listing of the violations alleged and the facts and circumstances surrounding each violation. (c) Upon receipt of a Probation/Parole Officer's report alleging violation of parole, the Director or designee, may issue a warrant for the retaking of the offender and his or her return to a correctional institution in the State of Tennessee, if the Director or designee determines parole has been violated in an important respect. (d) Any officer authorized to serve criminal process, or any peace officer to whom such warrant is delivered, shall execute the warrant by taking the offender into custody. (e) In those cases where the offender is confined in another state pending new criminal charges, or is serving a sentence in another state, the warrant may be placed there as a detainer. If it becomes apparent that the Board cannot obtain physical custody of the offender detained in another state, the Director or designee shall withdraw the warrant and issue a letter of notification. The letter of notification shall consist of a letter sent to the custodian of the offender being held in another jurisdiction and shall inform such custodian that the named individual is an alleged parole violator in the State of Tennessee. (f) Such notification shall request that the out-of-state custodian inform the Tennessee Director or designee of the release of the named offender at least ninety (90) days prior to such release from the out-of-state or foreign jurisdiction. (g) Upon receipt of notification by the custodian that an offender will be released, the Director or designee shall reissue the warrant so that the offender may be returned to Tennessee by execution of such warrant unless parole has expired. (h) When an offender is returned to the custody of Tennessee authorities from his or her confinement by an out-of-state custodian, such offender shall be afforded prompt parole revocation proceedings. (i) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prevent the Director or designee from issuing a letter of notification to the custodian of the offender in the first instance in lieu of placing a warrant as a detainer. (2) Preliminary Hearing. CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 (a) Upon execution of a warrant by the Director, the offender shall be given adequate notice of the preliminary hearing or revocation hearing. If a revocation hearing is held within fourteen (14) days after the service of the warrant, a preliminary hearing is not required. (b) The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and shall inform the offender that at the hearing he or she will be given the opportunity to present witnesses and documentary evidence in his or her behalf, shall be allowed to cross-examine any adverse witnesses in attendance, and that he or she has a limited right to request legal representation. (c) Unless waived in writing or a revocation hearing is held within fourteen (14) days of service of the warrant, the offender shall be afforded a preliminary hearing. (d) The preliminary hearing shall be conducted as scheduled unless the offender voluntarily waives such hearing in writing. For such a waiver to be effective, it must contain the following: 1. A clear statement that the offender is entitled to a preliminary parole revocation hearing; and 2. A clear statement that the offender has the right to present documentary evidence, as well as individual testimony which may give relevant information to the Hearing Officer, and a limited right to request legal representation. (e) If the offender expresses his or her desire to waive such hearing, a Probation/Parole Officer shall explain the contents of the waiver to the offender and shall not accept such waiver unless he or she is reasonably certain that the offender fully understands the contents and consequences of such a waiver and that the offender knowingly and voluntarily still desires to waive his or her preliminary hearing. (f) A request to appoint an attorney for an offender may be forwarded to the General Counsel of the Board of Parole under two circumstances: 1. If a preliminary hearing is held and the Hearing Officer is of the belief that the inmate is incapable of speaking effectively for himself or herself, the Hearing Officer shall continue the hearing and notify the General Counsel for the Board that an attorney appointment is recommended. Upon receiving this recommendation, an attorney may or may not be appointed. 2. The offender may request that he or she be appointed counsel to represent him or her. If the offender has made such a request, the Hearing Officer shall determine whether the request shall be forwarded to the General Counsel under the criteria the General Counsel considers in (g)1.–3. (g) The General Counsel may appoint attorneys in accordance with applicable case law or in the following situations: 1. The offender has made a timely and colorable claim that he has not committed the alleged violation of the conditions upon which he is at liberty; or 2. Even if the violation is a matter of public record or is uncontested, there are substantial reasons which justified or mitigated the violation and make revocation inappropriate and that the reasons are complex or otherwise difficult to develop or present; or CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 3. The offender is incapable of speaking effectively for himself or herself. (h) In every case in which a request for counsel at a preliminary hearing is denied, the grounds for such refusal shall be stated succinctly, in writing, by the Hearing Officer. (i) In every case in which a request for counsel at a preliminary hearing is not made, the Hearing Officer or a Parole Officer shall have the offender sign a statement that he or she has been fully informed of his or her ability to request that he or she be appointed counsel to represent him or her and that he or she has decided not to seek appointed representation. (j) Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prevent the waiver of the right to a preliminary hearing and the decision not to request counsel at the preliminary hearing from appearing on the same document. (k) At the preliminary hearing, the offender shall have the right to: 1. Appear at the hearing and speak in his or her own behalf; 2. Produce documents, letters, and individuals relevant to the violation(s) alleged; 3. Confront and cross-examine persons who have given adverse information upon which his or her parole revocation is to be based, unless the Hearing Officer finds good cause exists to disallow such cross-examination and confrontation; and 4. Be represented by retained counsel or an attorney appointed under the conditions noted above. (l) The Hearing Officer shall conduct the hearing informally, including the presentation of the documents or evidence in support of parole violation and the offender's responses to such evidence. Based on the information presented at the hearing, such Officer shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the offender violated the conditions of his or her parole in an important respect. (m) If the Hearing Officer determines it is necessary or the offender requests that any witnesses be subpoenaed, such Officer shall employ the following procedure: 1. If the witnesses are requested by the offender, such offender or his or her attorney shall submit a written statement to the Probation and Parole Officer, as well in advance of the scheduled hearing as possible, of the names of the persons requested as well as a brief statement of why their testimony is relevant. The statement requesting witnesses shall be forwarded to the Board of Parole which shall review the request(s) and issue subpoenas for necessary witnesses. 2. If the witnesses are requested by the state, the person representing the state shall comply with the same procedure set out in subpart (1) above, but the request shall be sent directly to the Board of Parole. 3. Failure to comply with this procedure by the parties shall be sufficient grounds for denial of a subpoena request. If the offender is not represented by an attorney the subpoenas may be served by a Probation/Parole Officer or sent by certified mail. (n) At the preliminary hearing, the Hearing Officer shall select one of the following alternative decisions: CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 1. No probable cause found, and the offender shall be returned to supervision and the violation warrant withdrawn; or 2. Probable cause found and the offender shall remain in custody under the violation warrant to await a final parole revocation hearing before the Board. (3) Declaration of Delinquency. (a) A declaration of delinquency may be issued by the Director of Probation and Parole in revocation proceedings to suspend such credit toward the service of the offender's sentence. Such declaration shall be made by the Director or designee in any case when a parole violation warrant is issued, and the parolee is not in custody. (b) Except when an offender is declared to be in a delinquent status, the time he or she is on parole is credited toward the service of his or her sentence unless it is taken by the Board after a revocation of parole. (c) If delinquency is declared, the offender stops earning credit for the service of his or her sentence from the date of declaration, until the parole violation warrant is served and the offender is housed in a correctional facility in Tennessee. Offenders taken into custody in another state will remain in delinquent status from the declaration of delinquency until they are returned to a Tennessee correctional facility or until delinquency is removed by the Board. (d) During the revocation process, the Board may consider an alleged violation and determine either that parole should not be revoked or that mitigating or compelling circumstances exist for the violation. The Board may then “take” or “grant” the delinquent time. Taking delinquent time requires that the offender lose credit toward service of sentence. The Board may take all of the delinquent time or some lesser amount of time, which is set by the Board. Granting the delinquent time restores all of the offender's credit toward service of sentence as though delinquency had never been declared. (4) Notice of Final Parole Revocation Hearing. (a) Prior to the revocation hearing, the offender shall be notified in writing of the following: 1. The date, time, and location of the hearing; 2. That the offender has the right to appear in person and present such evidence as he or she desires; 3. That he or she has the right to confront and cross-examine any adverse witnesses, unless good cause can be shown for refusing confrontation and cross-examination, such as a significant potential for harm if identities are revealed; and 4. That the offender has a limited right to request that counsel be appointed to represent him or her at the final revocation hearing. (5) Continuance of Final Revocation Hearing. (a) Following a finding of probable cause at the preliminary hearing, the Board shall schedule a final revocation hearing as promptly as possible to consider the alleged violation(s) of parole. CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 (b) On its own motion, the Board may continue the final revocation hearing in order to secure more or necessary evidence or witnesses at the hearing, or to secure counsel to represent the offender. (6) Final Revocation Hearing. (a) At the final revocation hearing, the offender shall have the right to appear and be heard in person and to present witnesses and documentary evidence. (b) The offender shall have the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, unless the Board specifically finds good cause for not allowing such confrontation and cross-examination. (c) A request to appoint an attorney to an offender may be forwarded to the General Counsel of the Board of Parole under two circumstances: 1. If at a final revocation hearing, the Hearing Officer is of the belief that the inmate is incapable of speaking effectively for himself or herself, the Hearing Officer shall continue the hearing and notify the General Counsel for the Board, that an attorney appointment is recommended. Upon receiving this recommendation, an attorney may or may not be appointed. 2. The offender may request that he or she be appointed counsel to represent him or her. If the offender has made such a request, the Hearing Officer shall determine whether the request shall be forwarded to the General Counsel under the criteria the General Counsel considers in (d)1.–3. (d) The General Counsel may appoint attorneys in accordance with applicable case law or in the following situations: 1. The offender has made a timely and colorable claim that he has not committed the alleged violation of the conditions upon which he is at liberty; or 2. Even if the violation is a matter of public record or is uncontested, there are substantial reasons which justified or mitigated the violation and make revocation inappropriate and that the reasons are complex or otherwise difficult to develop or present; or 3. The offender is incapable of speaking effectively for himself or herself. (e) In every case in which a request for counsel at a final revocation hearing is refused, the grounds for such refusal shall be stated succinctly in the record, in writing. (f) In every case in which a request for counsel at a final revocation hearing is not made, the Board shall have the offender sign a statement that he or she has been fully informed of his or her ability to request that he or she be appointed counsel to represent him or her and that he or she has decided not to seek appointed representation. (g) At the final revocation hearing, the Board will initially determine whether the alleged violation of parole is supported by a preponderance of the evidence. In all cases, the burden shall be on the State to establish that a violation occurred. CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 (h) If the Board determines that a parole violation occurred, or if the offender admits to a violation, the Board shall next consider whether such grant of parole should be revoked for the violation. (i) In all cases, including those situations in which the offender has been convicted of a new offense, the Board shall consider any mitigating factors advanced by the offender, which suggest that the violation of parole does not warrant revocation. (j) All parole revocation hearings shall be conducted in a manner as informal as is consistent with due process and the technical rules of evidence shall not apply to such hearings. (k) All evidence upon which the finding of a parole violation may be based, shall be disclosed to the offender at the revocation hearing unless it has been declared confidential by the Board. (l) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the Board from disclosing documentary evidence by reading or summarizing the appropriate document for the offender. (m) If the Board sustains a violation involving a new felony, class A misdemeanor, absconding, or zero tolerance violation and decides to revoke parole, the offender shall be returned to confinement to serve the remaining portion of his or her sentence or such part as the Board directs. If the Board sustains a violation involving only a technical violation of the rules of parole, the Board may revoke parole for fifteen (15) days for a first revocation, thirty (30) days for a second revocation, ninety (90) days for a third revocation, or the remainder of the sentence, for a fourth or subsequent revocation. The time an inmate spent on parole shall not be considered as service of the sentence unless the Board determines to grant all or part of such “street time” to the inmate. (n) The Board shall set a review date and record it on a Board Action Sheet. (o) If the Board finds that the offender did not commit the alleged violation or, if he or she did, finds that mitigating factors dictate revocation is not appropriate, the offender shall be allowed to resume his or her parole status subject to the conditions approved by the Board. (7) Felony Committed While on Parole. (a) If a person is convicted in this state of a felony committed while on parole from a prison, workhouse, or jail in this state, he or she shall serve the remainder of his or her sentence under which parole was granted, or such part of that sentence as the Board may determine before he or she commences serving the sentence fixed for the crime committed while on parole. (b) If a person on parole from a prison, workhouse, or jail in this state is convicted of a crime under the law of another state or county which, if committed in this state, would be a felony, the Director of Probation and Parole in this state, shall seek to return such offender to this state through the terms of the interstate compact. If such offender is returned, the Board shall require that he or she serve the portion remaining of his or her maximum term of sentence or such part of that term as the Board may determine. (c) The Board, at its discretion, may recommend to the Commissioner of Correction, the removal of all or any part thereof, of the good and honor time and incentive time such inmate accrued on the sentence under which he or she was paroled. The final decision CONDUCT OF PAROLE PROCEEDINGS CHAPTER 1100-01-01 relative to whether any or all of such time credits will be removed shall be made by the Commissioner of Correction.