{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-159.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-159.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-159.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-159.html"}],"law_id":56156,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56156,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-159","catch_line":"Mandatory release on parole","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-251.3; 1979, c. 415; 1981, cc. 20, 392; 1982, c. 636; 1985, c. 175; 1987, c. 668; 1991, c. 410; 1994, c. 894.","full_text":"Every person who is sentenced and committed under the laws of the Commonwealth to the Department of Corrections or as provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-308.1, 53.1-152 or \u00a7 53.1-153 shall be released on parole by the Virginia Parole Board six months prior to his date of final release. Each person so sentenced or committed, however, shall serve a minimum of three months of his sentence prior to such a release. Persons who are so released on parole shall be subject to a minimum of six months’ supervision and an additional period of parole ending on the date upon which the parolee would have served the maximum term of confinement, or any period the Board otherwise deems appropriate in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-156. Such persons shall also be subject, for the entire period of parole fixed by the Board, to such terms and conditions prescribed by the Board in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-157.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if within thirty days of a release scheduled pursuant to this section, new information is presented to the Board which gives the Board reasonable cause to believe that the release poses a clear and present danger to the life or physical safety of any person, the Board may delay the release for up to six months to investigate the matter and to refer it to law-enforcement, mental health or other appropriate authorities for investigation and any other appropriate action by such authorities.\n\t\tNo person released on parole pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-136, and whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall be released on parole pursuant to this section until at least six months have elapsed from the date of the decision revoking his parole. No person released on parole pursuant to this section, whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall thereafter be released on parole pursuant to this section. Final discharge may be extended to require the prisoner to serve the full portion of the term imposed by the sentencing court which was unexpired when the prisoner was released on parole.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, (i) “maximum term of confinement” means the maximum term of incarceration established by law as punishment for the offense, (ii) “mandatory release date” means that date which is six months prior to the scheduled date of release and takes into consideration good conduct credits, and (iii) “final discharge” and “discharge from parole” mean that a prisoner is released from confinement having satisfied the full term imposed by the sentencing court without regard to good conduct credit. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create a right or entitlement to parole.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":205796,"text":"Every person who is sentenced and committed under the laws of the Commonwealth to the Department of Corrections or as provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-308.1, 53.1-152 or \u00a7 53.1-153 shall be released on parole by the Virginia Parole Board six months prior to his date of final release. Each person so sentenced or committed, however, shall serve a minimum of three months of his sentence prior to such a release. Persons who are so released on parole shall be subject to a minimum of six months’ supervision and an additional period of parole ending on the date upon which the parolee would have served the maximum term of confinement, or any period the Board otherwise deems appropriate in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-156. Such persons shall also be subject, for the entire period of parole fixed by the Board, to such terms and conditions prescribed by the Board in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-157.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if within thirty days of a release scheduled pursuant to this section, new information is presented to the Board which gives the Board reasonable cause to believe that the release poses a clear and present danger to the life or physical safety of any person, the Board may delay the release for up to six months to investigate the matter and to refer it to law-enforcement, mental health or other appropriate authorities for investigation and any other appropriate action by such authorities.\n\t\tNo person released on parole pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-136, and whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall be released on parole pursuant to this section until at least six months have elapsed from the date of the decision revoking his parole. No person released on parole pursuant to this section, whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall thereafter be released on parole pursuant to this section. Final discharge may be extended to require the prisoner to serve the full portion of the term imposed by the sentencing court which was unexpired when the prisoner was released on parole.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, (i) “maximum term of confinement” means the maximum term of incarceration established by law as punishment for the offense, (ii) “mandatory release date” means that date which is six months prior to the scheduled date of release and takes into consideration good conduct credits, and (iii) “final discharge” and “discharge from parole” mean that a prisoner is released from confinement having satisfied the full term imposed by the sentencing court without regard to good conduct credit. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create a right or entitlement to parole.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":12913,"edition_id":1,"name":"Procedures Governing Parole","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12764,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","permalink":{"id":238979,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12913,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/4\/3","url":"\/53.1\/4\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12764,"edition_id":1,"name":"Probation and Parole","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":238889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12764,"identifier":"4","token":"53.1\/4","url":"\/53.1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81762,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-151","catch_line":"Eligibility for parole","url":"\/53.1-151\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-151","metadata":false},{"id":69796,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-152","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses","url":"\/53.1-152\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-152","metadata":false},{"id":86338,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","url":"\/53.1-153\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-153","metadata":false},{"id":67055,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154","catch_line":"Times at which Virginia Parole Board to review cases","url":"\/53.1-154\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154","metadata":false},{"id":59216,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154.1","catch_line":"Authority of Director to recommend parole review; release upon review","url":"\/53.1-154.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154.1","metadata":false},{"id":83495,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155","catch_line":"Investigation prior to release; transition assistance","url":"\/53.1-155\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155","metadata":false},{"id":75651,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155.1","catch_line":"Participation in residential community program prior to final release","url":"\/53.1-155.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155.1","metadata":false},{"id":72544,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-156","catch_line":"Period of parole; not counted as part of term","url":"\/53.1-156\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-156","metadata":false},{"id":70398,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-157","catch_line":"Parolees to comply with terms; furnishing copies","url":"\/53.1-157\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-157","metadata":false},{"id":61822,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-158","catch_line":"Release of prisoner subject to parole","url":"\/53.1-158\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-158","metadata":false},{"id":56156,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-159","catch_line":"Mandatory release on parole","url":"\/53.1-159\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","metadata":false},{"id":85833,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160","catch_line":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","url":"\/53.1-160\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","metadata":false},{"id":54025,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160.1","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-160.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":81252,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-161","catch_line":"Arrest and return of parolee; warrant; release pending adjudication of violation","url":"\/53.1-161\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-161","metadata":false},{"id":71659,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-162","catch_line":"Arrest of parolee without warrant; written statement","url":"\/53.1-162\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-162","metadata":false},{"id":73932,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-163","catch_line":"Parolee considered as escapee after issuance of warrant","url":"\/53.1-163\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-163","metadata":false},{"id":60291,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-164","catch_line":"Procedure for return of parolee","url":"\/53.1-164\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-164","metadata":false},{"id":66066,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165","catch_line":"Revocation of parole; hearing; procedure for parolee in another state; appointment of attorney","url":"\/53.1-165\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165","metadata":false},{"id":77539,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165.1","catch_line":"Limitation on the application of parole statutes","url":"\/53.1-165.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61822,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-158","catch_line":"Release of prisoner subject to parole","url":"\/53.1-158\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-158","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85833,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160","catch_line":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","url":"\/53.1-160\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-159\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1979, chapter 415; in 1981, chapters 20 and 392; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1985, chapter 175; in 1987, chapter 668; in 1991, chapter 410; in 1994, chapter 894<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72639,"section_number":"19.2-310.2","catch_line":"Blood, saliva, or tissue sample required for DNA analysis upon conviction of certain crimes; fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-310.2\/"},{"id":76761,"section_number":"19.2-316.4","catch_line":"Eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation; sentencing; withdrawal or removal from program; payment of costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-316.4\/"},{"id":86338,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-153\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79069,"section_number":"19.2-308.1","catch_line":"When sentence may run concurrently with sentence in another jurisdiction","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-308.1\/"},{"id":80848,"section_number":"53.1-136","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Board; notice of release of certain inmates; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-136\/"},{"id":69796,"section_number":"53.1-152","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-152\/"},{"id":86338,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-153\/"},{"id":72544,"section_number":"53.1-156","catch_line":"Period of parole; not counted as part of term","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-156\/"},{"id":70398,"section_number":"53.1-157","catch_line":"Parolees to comply with terms; furnishing copies","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-157\/"}],"permalink":{"id":239021,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56156,"identifier":"53.1-159","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","url":"\/53.1-159\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-159\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","dublin_core":{"Title":"Mandatory release on parole","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-159","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Every person who is sentenced and committed under the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth to the Department<\/span> of Corrections or as provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-308.1<\/a>, 53.1-152<\/a> or \u00a7 53.1-153<\/a> shall be released on parole by the Virginia Parole Board<\/span> six months prior to his date of final release. Each person so sentenced or committed, however, shall serve a minimum of three months of his sentence prior to such a release. Persons who are so released on parole shall be subject to a minimum of six months’ supervision and an additional period of parole ending on the date upon which the parolee would have served the maximum term of confinement<\/span>, or any period the Board<\/span> otherwise deems appropriate in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-156<\/a>. Such persons shall also be subject, for the entire period of parole fixed by the Board<\/span>, to such terms and conditions prescribed by the Board<\/span> in accordance with \u00a7 53.1-157<\/a>.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if within thirty days of a release scheduled pursuant to this section, new information is presented to the Board<\/span> which gives the Board<\/span> reasonable cause to believe that the release poses a clear and present danger to the life or physical safety of any person, the Board<\/span> may delay the release for up to six months to investigate the matter and to refer it to law<\/span>-enforcement, mental health or other appropriate authorities for investigation and any other appropriate action by such authorities.\n\t\tNo person released on parole pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-136<\/a>, and whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall be released on parole pursuant to this section until at least six months have elapsed from the date of the decision revoking his parole. No person released on parole pursuant to this section, whose parole is subsequently revoked, shall thereafter be released on parole pursuant to this section. Final discharge<\/span> may be extended to require the prisoner to serve the full portion of the term imposed by the sentencing court<\/span> which was unexpired when the prisoner was released on parole.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, (i) “maximum term of confinement<\/span>” means the maximum term of incarceration established by law<\/span> as punishment for the offense<\/span>, (ii) “mandatory release date<\/span>” means that date which is six months prior to the scheduled date of release and takes into consideration good conduct credits, and (iii) “final discharge<\/span>” and “discharge from parole<\/span>” mean that a prisoner is released from confinement having satisfied the full term imposed by the sentencing court<\/span> without regard to good conduct credit. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create a right or entitlement to parole.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMANDATORY RELEASE ON PAROLE (\u00a7 53.1-159)\n\nEvery person who is sentenced and committed under the laws of the Commonwealth\nto the Department of Corrections or as provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 19.2-308.1, 53.1-152\nor \u00a7 53.1-153 shall be released on parole by the Virginia Parole Board six\nmonths prior to his date of final release. Each person so sentenced or\ncommitted, however, shall serve a minimum of three months of his sentence prior\nto such a release. Persons who are so released on parole shall be subject to a\nminimum of six months’ supervision and an additional period of parole\nending on the date upon which the parolee would have served the maximum term of\nconfinement, or any period the Board otherwise deems appropriate in accordance\nwith \u00a7 53.1-156. Such persons shall also be subject, for the entire period of\nparole fixed by the Board, to such terms and conditions prescribed by the Board\nin accordance with \u00a7 53.1-157.\n\t\tNotwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if within thirty\ndays of a release scheduled pursuant to this section, new information is\npresented to the Board which gives the Board reasonable cause to believe that\nthe release poses a clear and present danger to the life or physical safety of\nany person, the Board may delay the release for up to six months to investigate\nthe matter and to refer it to law-enforcement, mental health or other\nappropriate authorities for investigation and any other appropriate action by\nsuch authorities.\n\t\tNo person released on parole pursuant to \u00a7 53.1-136, and whose parole is\nsubsequently revoked, shall be released on parole pursuant to this section until\nat least six months have elapsed from the date of the decision revoking his\nparole. No person released on parole pursuant to this section, whose parole is\nsubsequently revoked, shall thereafter be released on parole pursuant to this\nsection. Final discharge may be extended to require the prisoner to serve the\nfull portion of the term imposed by the sentencing court which was unexpired\nwhen the prisoner was released on parole.\n\t\tFor purposes of this section, (i) “maximum term of confinement”\nmeans the maximum term of incarceration established by law as punishment for the\noffense, (ii) “mandatory release date” means that date which is six\nmonths prior to the scheduled date of release and takes into consideration good\nconduct credits, and (iii) “final discharge” and “discharge\nfrom parole” mean that a prisoner is released from confinement having\nsatisfied the full term imposed by the sentencing court without regard to good\nconduct credit. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create a right or\nentitlement to parole.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-251.3; 1979, c. 415; 1981, cc. 20, 392; 1982, c. 636;\n1985, c. 175; 1987, c. 668; 1991, c. 410; 1994, c. 894.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}