Parole.

(1) Existing law requires that specified persons who have been released on parole from state prison who were not imprisoned for a violent felony, a serious felony, or an offense requiring registration as a sex offender, and who have been on parole for a period of 6 months, be discharged from parole unless the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recommends to the Board of Parole Hearings that the person should be retained, and the board, for good cause, determines that the person is to be retained. Existing law additionally requires specified persons who have been released on parole from state prison who were imprisoned for a serious felony or an offense requiring registration as a sex offender, and who have been on parole continuously for one year since release from confinement, to be similarly discharged from parole. Finally, existing law requires that specified persons who have been released on parole from state prison who were imprisoned for a violent felony, and who have been released on parole for a period not exceeding 3 years and have been on parole continuously for 2 years since release from confinement, or who have been released on parole for a period not exceeding 5 years and have been on parole continuously for 3 years since release from confinement, be similarly discharged from parole. This bill would create a program under which the length of a parolee's period of parole could be reduced through credits earned by successfully completing specified education, training, or treatment programs, or by participating in volunteer service, while adhering to the conditions of parole. The bill would make this program inapplicable to a person who is required to register as a sex offender. The bill would, if AB 1304 is enacted, additionally require this program to award credits for participation in substance abuse treatment programs, as specified. (2) Under existing law, an inmate is released to the county of their residence before incarceration or, when the interest of public safety is best served, to another location specified by the Board of Parole Hearings. Existing regulations prohibit a parolee from traveling more than 50 miles from their residence without the approval of a parole agent. The bill would also increase the 50-mile travel restriction for a parolee who successfully participates in the parole credit program, subject to certain restrictions. The bill would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Board of Parole Hearings to adopt regulations to carry out this program, as specified. This bill would, as a condition of continued state funding, prohibit any entity that receives state funds and provides services and programs in the fields of education, job training, workforce placement, health, or housing, from denying access to services or programs to a person on the basis that the person is currently or previously has been on parole or postrelease community supervision.