824                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        CH. 457

upon a showing of a violation of the conditions thereof. It shall have
the further power to issue warrants for the return to custody of
alleged violators of parole and to suspend or revoke a parole upon a
showing of a violation of the conditions thereof.

(b) The presence of three members of the Board shall be required
for the hearing of all cases for parole release and revocation, and the
concurrence of at least two members of the Board is required for any
action. Whenever by reason of illness, emergency, vacation or

vacancy in office, there are less than three members of the Board

available for any case, the Chairman of the Board is authorized to
appoint in his discretion either the director of the Department of
Parole and Probation or the Superintendent or warden of the institu-
tution where the Board is to sit, to serve on the Board in the place of
the absent member. In such cases, the Chairman shall designate

the time that his appointee shall sit on the Board and during such

time the appointee shall have the same rights, powers and duties as

the member whose place he takes would have. Not more than one

such appointee shall sit on the Board at any time.

(B) THE PRESENCE OF AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE HEARING OF ALL
CASES FOR PAROLE RELEASE AND REVOCATION, AND
THE CONCURRENCE OF AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD IS REQUIRED FOR ANY ACTION. IF THERE IS A
LACK OF CONCURRENCE BY AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS IN
ANY CASE, THE CASE SHALL BE REHEARD BEFORE AT
LEAST THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND A MAJORITY
OF THOSE HEARING THE CASE MUST CONCUR FOR A
DECISION.

111.

It shall be the duty of the Board in carrying out its powers au-
thorized herein

(1) IN DETERMINING WHETHER A PRISONER IS SUIT-
ABLE FOR RELEASE ON PAROLE:

(1) (I) To consider the circumstances surrounding the crime, and
the physical, mental and moral qualifications of persons who become
eligible for parole;

(2) (II) To determine whether there is reasonable probability that
the prisoner, if released on parole, will remain at liberty without viola-
ting the laws, and whether the release of the prisoner on parole is
compatible with the welfare of society;

(3) To parole prisoners suitable for release;

(4) To keep informed of the activities of prisoners released upon
parole and to issue warrants for the retaking of parolees who are

(2) TO EVALUATE INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES
OF PAROLEES AS REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF
PAROLE AND PROBATION AND TO ISSUE WARRANTS, OR
TO DELEGATE THE ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS TO THE DIREC-
TOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE RETAKING OF PA-
ROLEES WHO ARE reported to have violated the conditions of
parole or who have committed a new offense against the law;