Gov. Kehoe reveals recommendations to Missouri's parole process

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe unveiled a series of recommendations to the state’s parole process.

Under Executive Order 25-07, the Missouri Department of Corrections and the Missouri Parole Board assembled a working group to develop proposed rule changes. The group consisted of law enforcement, corrections and judiciary officials, along with some members of the public.

The executive order directed the group to submit recommendations to the Missouri Parole Board with the goal of increasing clarity, transparency, and accountability in the state’s parole process.

Currently in Missouri, Missouri Parole Board makes decisions on whether to grant parole, a conditional release of an inmate before the end of a sentence. The board considers factors such as the type of crime, length of sentence and behavior while incarcerated. Not all inmates are eligible for parole.

The group determined that several updates were needed to comply with state statues, including updating minimum parole eligibility requirements to reflect the current “blue book.”

The group also moved forward the following recommendations:

• Remove unnecessary and outdated regulations.
• Update the hearing process to allow for up to two delegates, who may provide additional information on rehabilitation efforts or barriers to release.
• Clarify that, under the updated rule, alleged violators have the right to attorney representation and to mitigation witnesses chosen by the individual.
• Introduce a new grid procedure, allowing release without a parole hearing for certain non-violent Class C, D, and E offenses, as well as drug offenses with sentences of up to 20 years. Decisions will be based on validated risk and needs assessments, while cases involving weapons, resisting arrest, parole violations, and similar offenses will continue to require a hearing. 

“Parole plays a crucial role in the Missouri criminal justice system, balancing offender rehabilitation with public safety,” said Gov. Kehoe via a news release. “We will now review these recommendations to see how Missouri can continue to refine its approach to offender management and increase accountability, with the goal of safeguarding public safety while also promoting successful reintegration and reducing recidivism.”

For a closer look at the working group’s Missouri parole process report, click here.