JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, A recent management audit of the Maryland Parole
Commission by the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning found
poor morale, high staff turnover, and serious delays in
scheduling timely inmate parole hearings; and

WHEREAS, The audit found that the backlog of parole cases
was so severe that many inmates with short sentences were
completing their full sentences before the Commission could hold
hearings on their cases; and

WHEREAS, The power of the Maryland Parole Commission to
overrule both the General Assembly and the courts in determining
when inmates should be released erodes the faith of the public in
the criminal justice system; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Legislative Policy Committee is requested to establish a
committee to study the efficiency and effectiveness of, and the
advisability of maintaining the feasibility of abolishing the
power of the Maryland Parole Commission to grant parole release
to persons sentenced under the laws of the State to penal and
correctional institutions; including local jails and detention
centers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee be composed of:

(1)  3 members of the House of Delegates, appointed by
the Speaker of the House, and 3 members of the Senate of
Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2)  The Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional
Services or the Secretary's designee;

(3)   1 classifications officer of the Division of
Correction, appointed by the Governor;

(3) (4) The Director of the Division of Parole and
Probation or the Director's designee; and

(4) (5) The Chairperson of the Maryland Parole
Commission or the Chairperson's designee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Policy Committee designate
the chairman of the committee; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee report its findings and
recommendations to the General Assembly by November 1, 1988; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That staff for the committee be provided by the
Department of Legislative Reference; and be it further

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