Mo. Rev. Stat. § 217.655

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 217.655 - Parole board, general duties - division duties

1. The parole board shall be responsible for determining whether a person confined in the department shall be paroled or released conditionally as provided by section 558.011. The parole board shall receive administrative support from the division of probation and parole. The division of probation and parole shall provide supervision to all persons referred by the circuit courts of the state as provided by sections 217.750 and 217.760. The parole board shall exercise independence in making decisions about individual cases, but operate cooperatively within the department and with other agencies, officials, courts, and stakeholders to achieve systemic improvement including the requirements of this section.

2. The parole board shall adopt parole guidelines to:

(1) Preserve finite prison capacity for the most serious and violent offenders;

(2) Release supervision-manageable cases consistent with section 217.690;

(3) Use finite resources guided by validated risk and needs assessments;

(4) Support a seamless reentry process;

(5) Set appropriate conditions of supervision; and

(6) Develop effective strategies for responding to violation behaviors.

3. The parole board shall collect, analyze, and apply data in carrying out its responsibilities to achieve its mission and end goals. The parole board shall establish agency performance and outcome measures that are directly responsive to statutory responsibilities and consistent with agency goals for release decisions, supervision, revocation, recidivism, and caseloads.

4. The parole board shall publish parole data, including grant rates, revocation and recidivism rates, length of time served, and successful supervision completions, and other performance metrics.

5. The chairperson of the parole board shall employ such employees as necessary to carry out its responsibilities, serve as the appointing authority over such employees, and provide for appropriate training to members and staff, including communication skills.

6. The division of probation and parole shall provide such programs as necessary to carry out its responsibilities consistent with its goals and statutory obligations.

§ 217.655, RSMo

Amended by 2021 Mo. Laws, SB 26,s A, eff. 8/28/2021.

Amended by 2021 Mo. Laws, SB 53,s A, eff. 8/28/2021.

Amended by 2018 Mo. Laws, HB 1355,s A, eff. 8/28/2018.

L. 1982 H.B. 1196 § 116, A.L. 1984 S.B. 611, A.L. 1989 H.B. 408, A.L. 1990 H.B. 974