How to Write Letters to the Texas Parole Board
Writing a letter to the Texas Parole Board can show your support for release for a friend or loved one and provide the parole board with information into the inmate's general character. Providing the Texas Parole Board with a formal letter addressing the inmate's moral character, values and future community involvement once released from prison, can aid the Texas Parole Board members in making a decision.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Printer
- Inmate name
- Inmate number
- Parole date
- Printer paper
- Envelope
- Stamp
Instructions
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Think about the type of letter you want to write to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Determine if you are writing in support of or against the parole of the inmate. Keep in mind that a letter merely provides the Texas Parole Board with insight into the character of the inmate eligible for parole. Board members do not have to agree or disagree with your comments; a letter does not necessarily increase or decrease chances of parole.
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Review the specific factors of parole in the State of Texas. The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole does not hold formal hearings for parole or mandatory release consideration; parole panel members vote on case files individually. However, you can, as a victim or loved one, request a hearing with a Texas Parole Board member. Know that not everyone can be paroled. Inmates who are sentenced to death or life without parole are not eligible. Capital felons, aggravated sexual assault offenders or those convicted of indecency with a child or continuous sexual assault of a child are required by Texas state law to serve a consecutive 35-year sentence before being eligible for parole.
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Open a new document on your computer's word processing program. Choose a font and size. Be formal. Use Times New Roman or Courier New in 12-point font size. Type the date in the left top corner. Double space and type your name and address with no space in between. Double space, then type the name and address of the Texas Parole Board you are addressing, for example:
Honorable Members of the Parole Board
Texas Board of Pardons and Parole
Amarillo Board Office
5809 S. Western, Suite 237
Amarillo, TX 79110
Double space and address the board once again, such as:
Dear Honorable Members of the Parole Board:
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Double space after addressing the Texas Parole Board. Type the body of the letter. Begin with a statement of who you are, the person on whose behalf you are writing, their relationship to you and their inmate number, if applicable. Include the parole eligibility date. Continue with a second paragraph in the body detailing the inmate's character, morals, values and what you believe the person can contribute to the community upon release. Include any contributions you can make to help the inmate re-adjust and get back on his feet: help finding a job, shelter, clothing and food, for example. Be specific.
Alternatively, if you are writing to encourage the denial of parole, write a detailed paragraph in support of your argument of why the inmate should not be granted parole. If your family member or friend was a victim, be clear, concise and sympathetic in your plea for denial. Mention your loved one by name in your plea and details of how the inmate's crime affected your loved one. Find out if the parolee has been a non-exemplary inmate. Contact the Institutional Parole Office of the Texas prison in which they are incarcerated and ask a parole officer for insight in defining the inmate's character.
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Tailor your letter to the factors that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles uses in deciding a parole hearing. Whether you are for or against the release of the inmate, consider these factors: Seriousness of the offense(s), sentence length vs. amount of time served, offender's age, juvenile history, criminal history (prior probation/parole), number of prison incarcerations, other arrests and institutional adjustment (such as participation in TDCJ-CID proposed or specialized programs). For instance, if the parolee is young, dispute her incarceration with the chance she has to reform and become a good member of society. If you are protesting the parole, argue the seriousness of the crime and the potential parolee's criminal history.
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Thank the Texas Parole Board for its time and consideration in a single sentence after the body of the letter. Double space and place a short, appropriate closing with a comma such as "With Kind Regards," or "Sincerely,". Hit enter three times and type your full name; you want to leave space between the closing and your typed name to sign your name with a pen.
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Check for spelling mistakes, grammar and margin errors. Run a spelling and grammar check. Print the letter and scan for words that can be spelled correctly but used in the wrong context, such as "your" and "you're" or "their" and "there." Check that all of the margins from the date at the top left of the letter to the signature are all on the same plane, matching in placement all the way down the left side of the letter margin.
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Print the letter. Look over the letter again for any last-minute corrections. Use a ball point pen and sign your name between the closing and the typed print of your name; black or blue ink is the only acceptable ink to use.
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Fold the letter in three with a nice smooth edge on each fold. Place in a legal size, letter envelope. Seal and write the inmate's name, docket number and hearing date on the flap of the back side of the envelope. Turn the envelope to the front side and write the return address in the top left corner. Address the letter in the front center to the appropriate Texas Parole Board. Place a postage stamp in the right, top corner. Alternatively, you can mail the letter from the post office for a tracking number to monitor when the letter is received, or mail a duplicate if the letter is lost.
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Tips & Warnings
Mail the letter of support to the Texas Parole Board at least four to six weeks in advance to ensure the board receives it in a timely manner. If you need help, contact the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole by phone or email.
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