How to Find Information on the Reasons for Denying Parole

Parole is intended to help offenders adjust to life outside of a correctional institution. Parole officers can help parolees find jobs and places to live on the outside and supervise their activities to ensure they do not represent a further threat to society. Offenders typically become eligible for parole after a third of their sentence has been served in a correctional facility.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Find Information on the Reasons for Denying Parole

1. Practice for your parole interview with your attorney. The hearing provides offenders the opportunity to tell their version of the events that led to their imprisonment and to explain why they are good candidates for parole.
2. Know the reasons for denying parole ahead of time so you can address the common objections you can expect from the parole commission.
3. Understand the reasons for denying parole. One common reason for denying parole is that releasing the offender would constitute a threat to public welfare. Another is that releasing the offender would promote disrespect for the law. A third is that the offender has not followed the rules of the correctional institution.
4. Show the parole commission that you are not likely to commit more crimes and that you have the ability to contribute to your community upon release.
5. Formulate a release plan: where you plan to live, what you will do for work and how you will adjust to the difficulties of being a parolee in the community. This information is vital to the parole commission's decision.
6. Appeal the parole commission's decision if you believe it is incorrect or discriminatory. You have 30 days to file an appeal and can do so through the US Department of Justice (see Resources below).
7. Seek help from advocacy groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (see Resources below) that specialize in protecting the rights of American citizens, including imprisoned individuals.

Tips & Warnings

• The burden is on you to prove to the parole board that you have earned the right to parole. Eligibility alone does not guarantee parole; it may take several hearings before the board grants your request.