New Alabama parole board chairman sworn in

Hal Nash has been elected to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles in a unanimous vote from the Alabama State Senate today, Jan. 29. Governor Kay Ivey appointed Nash as chairman of the board from a list of five qualified nominees back in July, 2025.

“I’m grateful to Governor Kay Ivey for her confidence in me and look forward to continuing to fulfill 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 this, Nash served as the Chief Corrections Deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. He’s previously swerved at other law enforcement agencies such as the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Ivey reportedly picked Nash because she was seeking a candidate that was pro-law enforcement, fair and had a tough-on-crime stance with previous experience with leadership. Nash reportedly also has experience in leadership positions in civic organizations such as serving as the Chairman of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board and the Jackson County Hospital Authority.

Cam Ward, the current director of Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, issued the following statement after Ivey’s appointment of Nash.

“Governor Ivey’s appointment and the Alabama Senate’s confirmation of Hal Nash to the Board is a fine choice. I know with Chairman Nash’s background that he will continue to 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 and Bureau are sepe3rate entities, with the Board serving on Alabama’s legislative branch of government. Its single legal authority under the law is to determine who receives parole and is comprised of three members, each serving a six-year term. The Bureau is part of the Executive Branch agency and provides legal and administrative support to the Board as needed. In addition, the Bureau Director has the power to perform duties assigned to the board by law except for the ability to adopt rules, guidelines or other policies and to grant or deny pardons, paroles, the restoration of political and civil rights, the remission of fines and forfeitures as well as the ability to revoke parole.