How to Find Information on Parole Law

Parole is granted to prisoners by a parole commission that reviews the specifics of each application and judges its merits. You must serve at least a third of your sentence before applying for parole, and, if the board grants it, you will live under close supervision in a community until the parole ends. Follow these steps to learn more about the laws governing parole.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access to research information on parole law in the United States

Find Information on Parole Law

1. Contact your defense attorney, and ask him to explain the restrictions your parole imposes.
2. Talk to others who've been through parole proceedings. Experienced parolees can help you through the process. Even those who have been denied parole can teach you valuable lessons to use during your parole hearing.
3. Visit the FindLaw Web site (see Resources below) to learn more about parole law and how it applies to your particular circumstances.
4. Visit the library in your correctional facility. Many prisons and other institutions have libraries where inmates can research legal information. Prison libraries often house extensive law sections.
5. Remember, federal and local laws protect the rights of everyone, even prisoners. Contact an advocacy group such as the ACLU (see Resources below) immediately if you believe those rights are being violated.
6. You have the right to appeal if the parole commission denies your parole.

Tips & Warnings

• While information on parole law is widely available online through sources like the US Department of Justice (see Resources below), there may be delays involved when researching parole law while currently incarcerated. Allow time to find the information you're looking for and don't become discouraged if the process moves slowly.