Probation & Parole

Front 1

Define Parole

Back 1

(parole only after prison) is defined as a supervised conditional release of an offender from incarceration but not from the legal custody of the state.

Front 2

One mechanisms for early release from prison

Back 2

Mandatory Release: A condition of law- it is a fixed law that cannot change unless you change the state law. Some % of sentence must be completed prison release. Fixed time minus good time allowances: Your sentence-good time. If you break all the rules then you loose any credit for allowing being let out early.

Front 3

Second Mechanism for early release from prison.

Back 3

Discretionary Release: A conditional release by the Parole Board that allows the Board to make **an assessment of the prisoner’s readiness for release. – Want to see if you are ready to live as a law-abiding citizen. Indeterminate sentence: It is up to the Parole Board, to encourage the inmate to get their life in order. Designed to allow the Parole Board to release inmates to conditional supervision in the community when they are deemed ready to live as a law-abiding citizen.

Front 4

discussion of the minimum requirement

Back 4

In response to criticisms that release decisions are arbitrary. Many states have adopted guidelines. Release is usually granted to prisoners who have served the amount of time stipulated as minimum

Front 5

the three basic criteria for discretionary release

Back 5

1) Substantially observe the rules of the facility. Has to follow almost all of the rules.
2) Release will no depreciate the seriousness of the offense or promote disrespect for the law. ‘Depreciate’- bring the value of it down. If you let people out too early then you might have the offender think that the crime isn’t so serious. The offenders’ friends might also comment saying, oh, 3 years is nothing.
If you let people out too early then you might have the offender think that the crime isn’t so serious. The offenders’ friends might also comment saying, oh, 3 years is nothing.
3) Release will not jeopardize public welfare or safety officers want to make sure that you will not go into the public to commit a crime. Arbitrary: if commissioner is having a bad day then he might decide not to let the offender go even if they are ready but if there are 10 new inmates coming into the prison then you need to have 10 beds ready and even if the inmate isn’t ready to be released into society the warden is

Front 6

the other commonly used criteria for discretionary release.

Back 6

Number of prior convictions- the Parole Board will consider if you have a career criminal or not.
Number of prior parole revocations- the board won’t give you the same time of parole
Number of prior prison terms- the board might not even give you parole again.

Front 7

Parole Release, 1 of the basic service provided by parole agency.

Back 7

Parole release (institutional), Parole Officers assigned to work full-time inside correctional facilities. Primary responsibility is to prepare reports on inmates for submission to the parole board. Preparation of the Board Report Includes:
1. Interview Inmate 2. Review documents 3. Review disciplinary record