Section 430.16 - Deliberation and Decision by the Hearing Officer(1) After the close of the presentation of the evidence, the Hearing Officer shall consider and determine the guilt or innocence of the inmate. Evidence relied upon by the Hearing Officer, shall be that on which reasonable persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs. The proponent(s) of the disciplinary report shall have the burden of proving the offense(s) by a preponderance of the evidence.(2) If the inmate is found guilty, the Hearing Officer may recommend one or more of the sanctions listed in 103 CMR 430.25. The inmate's disciplinary chronology shall not be considered by the Hearing Officer in determining the guilt or innocence of the inmate, but it may be considered in deciding the appropriate sanction. The Hearing Officer may recall the inmate after reaching a guilty finding but prior to recommending a sanction to discuss issues related to the decision on sanction(s). Upon a rehearing, the Hearing Officer should not increase the sanction(s) previously recommended without good cause.(3) Findings requiring the payment of an amount of restitution shall be supported by a preponderance of the evidence.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1341, eff. 6/19/2017.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1387, eff. 3/22/2019.