ADVOCATE

There is a possibility your loved one will not have to do their whole sentence in jail. If they are showing improvement and staying out of trouble they might get offered parole.

Before you are even considered for parole there is a minimum amount of time you have to spend in prison. When you are sentenced you will be told exactly how much of the sentence you will have to do behind bars before even thinking about parole.

When a person is coming close to being available for parole there are many steps that will happen before the decision is made. There will be an interview by a board member. The member is usually on video talking to the inmate. The board member has all records on the person including a list of any classes they might have taken while in jail. All of these things will be discussed with the inmate.

The board member can decide upon completion of the interview if the inmate should get parole. They have to look at many things in order to come to this decision. Some of the things that are looked at is a persons age, if they need more classes in the mandated programs, but the most important factor is making sure the inmate is not a threat to society if they are released.

When the board member is done then everything is given to a second board member. This person will go over the complete file including all notes the first person made while conducting the interview. When the second member is done going over everything they will have to decide if they agree with the decision of the first member. If they agree on things then the process is through. If they disagree with the decision then everything is passed to a third board member so they can go over everything. Sometimes this is a drawn out process and can go before all 15 members of the board. If this happens then if eight members agree the person should be on parole the inmate will be set free with stipulations and guidelines they must follow.

While the case is being reviewed by the board the inmate still needs to stay out of trouble. If the inmates start getting aggressive and in trouble all of a sudden, then parole will be stopped and the inmate will stay in jail. If the inmate actually gets parole then if at any time while they are free they get in trouble then parole can be revoked.

If a person is out on parole this will show when a background check is conducted. It will show when a person was released on parole and when they should be done with the parole sentence.