Florida Commission on Offender Review

The commission is a quasi-judicial, decision-making body that makes post-release decisions affecting inmates and ex-offenders.

Commissioners make a variety of determinations regarding parole and other types of release during the hearings.

Victims, and others opposed to an inmate, attend the hearings and are given an opportunity to address the Commissioners.

[3] General Structure of the Meetings: The commission is also the administrative arm of Executive Clemency.

Clemency is the constitutionally authorized process that provides the means through which convicted felons may be considered for relief from punishment and seek restoration of their civil rights.

The power to grant clemency is vested in the Governor with the agreement of two cabinet members who are also statewide elected officials.

The Governor and Cabinet appoint members of the commission from a list of eligible applicants submitted by a Parole Qualifications Committee.

The five-member qualifications committee is appointed by the Governor and Cabinet and accepts and reviews applications.

After the Governor and Cabinet have made their selection, the full Senate must then confirm the chosen applicant.

"More elderly and ill prisoners would be eligible for release under a proposed House bill".

"Florida clemency board approves automatic restoration of felons' civil rights".

"Florida Commission decides conditional medical release for sick inmates".

"In federal hearing, judge appears skeptical of Florida's new felon-voting restoration system".