Nash sworn in as Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles chair

MONTGOMERY – It’s a new day and a new career for Hal Nash.

The former chief corrections deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is now the chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Director Cam Ward gave the oath of office to Nash on Monday. He will preside as chair over parole board meetings beginning today.

Gov. Kay Ivey last week announced she selected Nash to serve as chair. He was chosen from a list of five candidates nominated by a board consisting of the lieutenant governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

“I’m grateful to Governor Kay Ivey for her confidence in me and look forward to fulfilling my duties to the people of Alabama,” Nash said. “As a law enforcement officer for more than three decades, I understand the importance of our role to serve and protect the people of Alabama.

“We will be detailed, diligent and strive to ensure a stronger, safer state through my work with fellow board members and our partnership with the Bureau and its officers in the field.”

Before serving the the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Nash was with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, among other law enforcement agencies.

Nash has also held leadership positions in civic organizations, serving as international vice president of the Jaycees, and on various public boards, including as chairman of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board and the Jackson County Hospital Authority.

“Governor Ivey’s appointment of Hal Nash to the Board is a fine choice. I know with Mr. Nash’s background that he will represent our law enforcement community well,” Ward said. “The Bureau functions separately from the Board, but we enjoy cooperation with its members and work to promote the safety of our state’s citizens while providing meaningful paths to reentry into society for formerly incarcerated Alabamians.”

The board is separate from the bureau and serves as an entity of Alabama’s legislative branch of government. It’s the sole legal authority under law to approve or deny who receives parole and is comprised of three members who serve six-year terms.

The bureau is a separate entity from the Board of Pardons & Paroles and is an executive branch agency. The governor appoints the director of the bureau, who serves at the pleaser of the governor. The bureau is tasked to provide administrative and legal support for the board.

Additionally, the bureau director is vested with all power necessary to perform the duties assigned to the board by law except the power to adopt rules, guidelines, or other policies and to make grant or deny pardons, paroles, the restorations of political and civil rights, the remission of fines and forfeitures, and the revocation of parole.