The Parole Board: Some of the inmates are able to avoid the Parole Board and some of them can’t. It all depends on the state that you’re in and what the laws are.

If you do have to see the Parole Board in order to be released from prison, then that will be your last stop on your bus ride through the Penal System. You may have to see the Parole Board several times before you actually get out but they decide if you can go or not.

Before I continue, I would like to recommend that you also read What To Expect If I Am Going To Prison (part 1), What To Expect If I Am Going To Prison (part 2),  What To Expect If I Am Going To Prison (part 3), and What To Expect If I Am Going To Prison (part 4). This will give you an overview of what to expect prior to getting to the Parole Board.

All prison systems have to operate under some sort of prison population cap, either imposed by state or federal mandates. This is to promote safety in the prison system. The prison cap (or overcrowding rules) forces the systems to place inmates on parole to make room for more inmates coming into prison. Some states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons have done away with parole (actually they still have it, they just call it something else.). To keep the peace in prisons, there must be some way to reward inmates for good behavior. If no one could get a parole, then inmates would have little to lose and prison riots and would be commonplace. Prisons could not hire enough staff to run them. Basically, whether it is called parole or not, the inmate has a minimum and a maximum release date. These minimum and maximum dates are set by the courts upon sentencing. Theoretically, the inmate can go home on the minimum date if they are good or possibly the max if they’re bad. However, because of the prison systems being what they are, this practice isn’t observed and I’ll tell you why… The same prison population cap that is used to keep the prisons from becoming overcrowded is now working against you. They aren’t going to have a bunch of empty prisons, so they give the parolee more time till more inmates come into the system and fill that bed. If the prisons are truly overcrowded, then I would say you have a fair shot at getting out on time.
There are a number of ways to reduce the max date, either by working or through educational achievements. Generally, the max date moves at a faster rate than the minimum date does. Some systems cut the inmate’s sentence in half automatically and then the inmate can further reduce their time through various methods. The revolving door policy only works when there are more inmates than beds.

The inmate should understand what the Parole Board is looking for. Usually they look at the inmates prison record, prior criminal record, psychological reports (if available), and family support. They want to know where the inmate intends to live and work. The Parole Board will check with the local Sheriff, District Attorney, and Public Chief. Any objections from the victims or the community in general must be considered. Obviously they can not investigate all if these things themselves, and they must rely on a support staff to compile and provide the information for consideration. These staff members are assigned case-loads and each inmate has a Parole Analyst of some kind. They are required to keep records for each inmate and to investigate parole plans and job plans. They must prepare an information package for the Parole Board’s review.

The inmate could have his family contact local officials to advise them that they will soon be contacted concerning the inmate’s possible parole. They could ask them if they oppose the release of the inmate, and if not they should ask for a letter stating so. The letter along with a letter from a prospective employer could be sent to the Parole Board. The Sheriff and District Attorney rely on votes to remain in office and inmate’s families are voters. In cases where one of these officials intends to oppose the parole of the inmate, or when the victim or their family intent to oppose it, the inmate should consider paroling to another county, away from the opposition. It is also possible to parole to another state. It is very important that the inmate have a good place to live, with strong family or friend support. And they should have a strong employment plan, if possible.

I don’t claim to know all of the procedures of every state. It is wise for the family members to contact the Parole Board in your state and inquire how to submit support letters and what to expect and when. The Parole Board can provide answers to all of your questions. Your tax dollars pays their salary so you might as well utilize them.

There is no way to know what is the right thing to say at a Parole Hearing. If you put yourself in their shoes, I’m sure that you wouldn’t want to grant someone a parole and have them go out and hurt, rape, or murder someone. You would feel responsible because if you hadn’t let them out, then no one would have gotten hurt. I’m not saying that the Parole Board is always right in their decision, it’s just,…. they have a lot to think about. They also become numb from all of the horrific crimes that they have to review. So I guess now maybe you have a different view of their job too.

Last thing I would like to say is, while you’re in prison, try to do positive things with your time. I know it’s not easy, but now you have time to do things you didn’t have time for before. Learn a foreign language or sign language. Learn calligraphy or learn to draw. Take correspondence courses. Do something that will better you and take time to write your friends and family. Your family and friends will become more important to you while you’re in prison because you will have to rely on them for everything. And when you get out, you’re going to have to rely on them still for help.

You Take Care…Because life has it’s own rules… Behind The Walls…