Tennessee prosecutors blast governor's veto of expanding parole board authority
A state attorney generals' conference is slamming Gov. Bill Lee's veto of a measure giving more authority to parole boards. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference is denouncing Gov. Bill Lee's first veto and urging state lawmakers to override him on a bill giving the parole board more power.
Passed overwhelmingly with little fanfare by the legislature this year, HB527/SB455 expands the Board of Parole's 'authority to deny early release when the severity of the offense demands it or where it sends a critical message that serious crimes carry serious consequences,' a DAs Conference letter from early May says.
'These are not abstract concepts —- they are the bedrock of public safety, justice for victims, and confidence in the rule of law,' the letter says.
The state's prosecutors, led by Executive Director Steve Crump, further say ignoring the 'gravity and specific facts of an offender's crime when determining early release eligibility is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous' because it disregards victims' suffering and erodes trust in the criminal justice system.
The letter grows harsher, saying some crimes are so 'egregious' the defendant should not receive 'early' release.
Lee vetoed the bill May 5, calling it a 'step backwards' from the advances of the Reentry Success Action of 2021. That measure passed with strong support and led the state to record its lowest rate of return to prison in history, Lee said when he defended his position.
Current statute allows the parole board — which is appointed by the governor — to deny parole based solely on the seriousness of the offense for 22 violent felonies. The bill seeks to broaden that authority beyond those crimes.
Republican Rep. Rick Scarbrough of Oak Ridge, a former Clinton Police chief, and Republican Sen. Paul Rose of Covington sponsored the measure.
Scarbrough said after the veto that the bill was designed to handle 'critical gaps' in the state's parole system to make sure serious offenses aren't 'minimized.'
A spokesperson for the governor did not respond to questions immediately Tuesday.
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