Leahy Bill To Extend U.S. Parole
Commission Becomes Law
WASHINGTON (Tuesday, August 12,
2008) – A bill introduced by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to
extend the United States Parole Commission for three years was
signed into law by the President today.
The U.S. Parole Commission is
charged with granting or denying parole for incarcerated
prisoners under federal jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of the
District of Columbia. The current Commission was originally
constituted more than 20 years ago, and was slated to expire in
1992. Congress has acted four times to extend the Commission.
Without the congressional enacted extension, the Commission
would have been required under federal law to set release dates
for all parole-eligible federal prisoners. Additionally, the
Commission plays a vital role in managing parolees from the
District of Columbia who are on supervised release from prison.
“I am pleased this important bill
has been signed into law,” said Leahy. “The Commission was
created and empowered to consider the requests of Federal and
District of Columbia inmates who are parole-eligible, as well as
D.C. offenders who are on supervised release from prison. This
extension will allow the Commission to continue to perform its
important work.”
Leahy introduced the United States
Parole Commission Extension Act on July 21, and the Senate
unanimously approved the measure the same day. The House of
Representatives passed the measure before the congressional
recess.
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