(1)(a) If the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision denies parole to a prisoner sentenced for a crime committed prior to November 1, 1989, the board may not grant the prisoner a subsequent hearing that is less than two years, or more than 10 years, from the date parole is denied, unless the two-year period would exceed the maximum sentence imposed by the court.
(b) The board may not grant the prisoner a hearing that is more than two years from the date parole is denied unless the board finds that it is not reasonable to expect that the prisoner would be granted parole before the date of the subsequent hearing.
(c) The board shall determine the date of the subsequent hearing pursuant to rules adopted by the board. Rules adopted under this paragraph must be based on the foundation principles of criminal law described in section 15, Article I of the Oregon Constitution.
(2) If the board grants a prisoner a hearing that is more than two years from the date parole is denied, the prisoner may submit a request for an interim hearing not earlier than the date that is two years from the date parole is denied and at intervals of not less than two years thereafter. If the board finds, based upon a request for an interim hearing, that there is reasonable cause to believe that the prisoner may be granted parole, the board shall conduct a hearing as soon as is reasonably convenient.
(3) When the board grants a prisoner a hearing that is more than two years from the date parole is denied and when the board denies a petition for an interim hearing, the board shall issue a final order. The order shall be accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law. The findings of fact shall consist of a concise statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings as to each contested issue of fact and as to each ultimate fact required to support the board’s order. Unless the prisoner bears the burden of persuasion, the order shall include findings necessary to deny the prisoner parole for any period of time when the prisoner would be presumed to be eligible for parole. [2009 c.660 §2]