Parole changes in the works

Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997 | 5:02 a.m.

Following the shooting by career criminal Donald Cameron, who in turn was killed by other officers, the 1995 Legislature began changing the system and an interim subcommittee proposed others for the 1997 session to consider.

The subcommittee chaired by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio drafted five bills and made 29 recommendations that can be implemented by the agencies involved.

"There is a need and desire to try and rehabilitate people in the criminal justice system, but it's fraught with frustration," Raggio, R-Reno, told the committee Wednesday.

"You can't devise a system where this won't ever happen. There are nuts out there. Just yesterday someone was shot in a minor traffic accident, but the system of probation and parole needed review," he added.

Committee members voted unanimously to pass two of the bills, SB12 and SB14, the latter with a minor amendment.

Under SB14, members of the state Parole Board would no longer be limited to two terms.

Gail Hughes, executive secretary for the Association of Paroling Authorities International, had told the interim subcommittee that it's important to maintain a level of experience, expertise and knowledge among parole board members.

There tends to be a high turnover rate for members of parole boards across the country and that hurts the criminal justice system, he said, adding that if members are doing a good job, they shouldn't be forced to leave.

SB12 requires the Division of Parole and Probation to hold regular reviews of inmates to determine the level of supervision needed.

The committee amended the bill to include only those inmates who are applying to be released onto the streets after Parole Board Chairman Don Denison pointed out that 50 percent of inmates interviewed have no chance of being granted parole.

"Most of the inmates we talk to are staying in prison," Denison said. "And we already set special conditions for inmates the board is concerned about. It's obvious which inmates need observation."

The bill also requires reimbursement from people who go through training to be an assistant parole and probation officer, then leave the post within two years.

The division has experienced a high turnover rate of officers in the Las Vegas area after spending time and money on special training, said Carlos Concha, deputy chief of probation and parole.

A Judiciary subcommittee was assigned to modify two other bills after Denison expressed concerns about them, and one bill will likely be thrown out since the change it suggests is already in existing state law.

The bills needing revisions include SB15, which requires an increase in the number of Parole Board members necessary to make decisions concerning certain prisoners.

Denison argued that it would be physically impossible for three board members to be present at all hearings. Sen. Ernie Adler, D-Carson City, insisted that the board needs to utilize technology to improve communications.

SB17, also needing revision, makes a long list of changes to the Parole Board. They include requirements for detailed information on all parole decisions; a minimum of 40 hours of training; and a plan for continuing education of board members.