JUST IN: Bill reforming probation and parole good time credit advances to governor�s desk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Brittany Roembach

Public Information Officer, Corrections Department

Brittany.roembach@cd.nm.gov

505-382-3541

March 21, 2025

Bill reforming probation and parole good time credit advances to governor’s desk

SANTA FE – Senate Bill 375, the "Probation & Parole Changes" bill, sponsored by the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD), passed its final legislative hurdle and is now headed to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for approval, following a successful concurrence vote on the Senate floor tonight.

“This forward-thinking legislation provides clarity in understanding release eligibility, enhances successful transition to communities and aligns with best practices in probation supervision,” said NMCD Cabinet Secretary Alisha Tafoya Lucero . “I’m grateful to Governor Lujan Grisham for her leadership in advancing criminal justice reforms that prioritize rehabilitation and public safety.”

SB 375 addresses existing systemic challenges that inadvertently discourage individuals from completing parole in the community. Under current law, certain parolees find it more advantageous to violate supervision terms and return to prison for a shorter sentence. This bill reverses that dynamic, by awarding good time credits to those who successfully serve their parole in the community.

“SB 375 will assist probation officers' focus on those probationers with a higher probability of recidivism," said Senator Antonio Maestas, the bill’s sponsor. "Calculating good time must be open and transparent. Now, inmates must be more proactive with their rehabilitation regiment, which will keep our facilities and correctional officers safer.”

Other SB375 highlights:

· Offers early completion for high-performing, low-risk probationers who meet all court-ordered requirements

· Is budget neutral and eliminates parole costs, allowing parolees to allocate funds toward necessities like housing, transportation, and food, easing their transition back to the community

· Simplifies the calculation of good time credits, by awarding all meritorious deductions at the time of admission, providing clearer release dates and greater transparency for victims, offenders, and families

SB375 received bipartisan support throughout the legislative process.

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The New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD) is one of the largest state departments in New Mexico. The department staff and volunteers are fully committed to integrating programs in its facilities for rehabilitation. It is through programs and services the department aims to improve outcomes for offenders and enhance public safety in communities. For more information, visit cd.nm.gov or follow NMCD on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , X at @NMCDPIO