Parole hearings.

Existing law requires the Board of Parole Hearings, among other responsibilities, to conduct parole suitability hearings and determine whether an inmate is suitable for parole. Existing law requires the board to provide by rule for the invitation of the prosecutor of the county from which the inmate was committed, or their representative, at least 30 days before the date of the hearing, to represent the interests of the people at the hearing. This bill, in addition to the prosecutor attending the hearing as specified above, would authorize the original prosecuting attorney in the case, regardless of whether or not they are still employed in that capacity, to appear at all hearings for the purpose of reviewing an inmate's parole suitability, or the setting, postponing, or rescinding of parole, to express their views concerning the inmate and the case, including, but not limited to, the suitability of the inmate for parole. The bill would prohibit the original prosecutor from appearing as a representative of the interests of the people. The bill would require the board to notify the original prosecutor at least 30 days before the date of the hearing.