2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 26
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the potential impacts of expanded discretionary parole eligibility. Report.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 11, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, in 1995, the Commonwealth effectively eliminated discretionary parole for adults convicted of felonies with certain limited eligibility for conditional release for those incarcerated individuals who are considered geriatric or terminally-ill; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth now has three decades of data to utilize in analysis of fiscal impacts and public safety outcomes associated with the conditional release of individuals formerly incarcerated for felony convictions; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that public dollars and other resources are allocated properly and effectively when it comes to incarceration, the Commonwealth must evaluate past and present crime rates, prison populations, the number of prison facilities and staff required to operate such facilities, costs of incarceration, and recidivism rates for adult offenders; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth should consider modifications to current eligibility for discretionary parole using evidence-based and data-driven approaches that reduce costs and improve outcomes for offenders, their families, and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study the potential impacts of expanded discretionary parole eligibility.