§ 148-4.1. Release of inmates. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 148‑4.1.  Release ofinmates.

(a)        Whenever theSecretary of Correction determines from data compiled by the Department ofCorrection that it is necessary to reduce the prison population to a moremanageable level or to meet the State's obligations under law, he shall directthe Post‑Release Supervision and Parole Commission to release on paroleover a reasonable period of time a number of prisoners sufficient to thatpurpose. From the time the Secretary directs the Post‑Release Supervisionand Parole Commission until the prison population has been reduced to a moremanageable level, the Secretary may not accept any inmates ordered transferredfrom local confinement facilities to the State prison system under G.S. 148‑32.1(b).Further, the Secretary may return any inmate housed in the State prison systemunder an order entered pursuant to G.S. 148‑32.1(b) to the localconfinement facility from which the inmate was transferred. In order to meetthe requirements of this section, the Parole Commission shall not parole anyperson convicted under Article 7A of Chapter 14 of a sex offense, under G.S. 14‑39,14‑41, or 14‑43.3, under G.S. 90‑95(h) of a drug traffickingoffense, or under G.S. 14‑17, or any other violent felon as defined insubsection (a1) of this section. The Parole Commission may continue to considerthe suitability for release of such persons in accordance with the criteria setforth in Articles 85 and 85A of Chapter 15A.

(a1)      Notwithstanding anyother provision of this section, the Department of Correction shall at alltimes secure the necessary prison space to house any violent felon or habitualfelon for the full active sentence imposed by the court. For purposes of thissubsection, the term "violent felon" means any person convicted ofthe following felony offenses: first or second degree murder, voluntarymanslaughter, first or second degree rape, first or second degree sexualoffense, any sexual offense involving a minor, robbery, kidnapping, or assault,or attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit any of those offenses.

(b)        Except as providedin subsection (c), only inmates who are otherwise eligible for parole pursuantto Article 85 of Chapter 15A or pursuant to Article 3B of this Chapter may bereleased under this section.

(c)        Persons eligiblefor parole under Article 85A of Chapter 15A shall be eligible for early paroleunder this section nine months prior to the discharge date otherwiseapplicable, and six months prior to the date of automatic 90‑day paroleauthorized by G.S. 15A‑1380.2.

(c1) through (g) Repealed by1995 Session Laws, c. 324, s. 19.9(e).

(g1)      Expired July 1,1996.

(h)        A person sentencedunder Article 81B of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes shall not be releasedpursuant to this section.

(i)         This section doesnot apply to inmates released pursuant to G.S. 148‑64.1.  (1983, c. 557, s. 1; 1985(Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1014, s. 197(a); 1987, c. 7, ss. 1, 3, 4; c. 879, s.1.2; 1989, c. 1, s. 1; 1990, Ex. Sess., c. 1, ss. 1‑3.3; 1989 (Reg.Sess., 1990), c. 933, ss. 10‑13; 1991, c. 187, s. 2; c. 217, ss. 6, 7; c.437, ss. 1‑9; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1036, ss. 5‑7; 1993, c.91, ss. 1‑9; c. 538, s. 31; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 14, s. 64; c. 15, ss. 1‑4;c. 24, s. 14(b), (e); 1995, c. 324, s. 19.9(a)‑(e); 2008‑199, s.1.)