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The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted parole requests for two area inmates – Jacquelyn Lane Bunton and Adrian Dewayne Burnett.

The board met on April 18 and granted parole to Bunton, 36, who was serving a 15-year sentence at Julia Tutwiler Annex for a 2021 Butler County conviction for distributing a controlled substance.

Bunton’s father, Thomas Bunton, and her mother Janet Vinquist spoke on behalf of their daughter’s release. Court records indicate the board voted to grant parole upon application,  acceptance to the Lovelady Center, and completion of the center’s program. After completing the program, Bunton will wear a GPs Ankle Monitor.

“Jackie Bunton was in on a drug charge,” said District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer. “She had pled on the charges. She served most of her sentence so we did not oppose her parole.”

The board granted parole for four inmates, denied 22, and continued the hearing for one petitioner. Another 12 were granted pardon and four were denied petitions for pardon.

During an April 19 meeting, the parole board granted parole to Burnett, 43, who was serving a 20-year Crenshaw County sentence for burglary in the third degree with a consecutive five-year sentence for theft of property in the first degree.

Burnett’s release from the Limestone Correctional Center comes after multiple sentences, including 2010 convictions on two counts of burglary in the third degree in Butler County.

Speaking on behalf of Burnett’s parole was his mother, Jessie Burnett. The board voted to grant his parole with special conditions that he complete the  Perry County Probation/Parole Reentry Education Program (PREP), maintain mental health follow-up, and complete a drug assessment upon release.

Tesmer and her team often attend parole hearings when there is a need to weigh in on whether an inmate should be released.

“We make it a point to attend and oppose parole in cases of personal offenses like assaults, murder, and child abuse,” Tesmer said.

During the hearing, the parole board granted three parole requests and denied 25. The board also granted pardon to six inmates and denied nine pardon requests.

According to the board’s website, inmates do not attend parole hearings but may attend hearings for paredon consideration. Persons speaking for or against an inmate’s parole may address the board and can be asked questions about their testimony and allowed to present documentation for their request.

During these hearings, the board considers the offender’s files during an executive session. Once they have reviewed all necessary information, they will vote on whether to grant or deny the inmate’s request for parole.

For more information or to access meeting minutes, visit www.paroles.alabama.gov.