1. Chapter 8
Parole and Parolees

2. Introduction
Parole is a complex decision that often involves a variety of criteria that are not clear-cut
A growing issue is the reentry of parolees back into their communities
There are various obstacles that impede offender reentry
Because many inmates have joined gangs while imprisoned, this has an affect back in their communities

3. Parole and Parolees Parole defined
The conditional release of a prisoner from incarceration under supervision after a portion of the sentence has been served
Major distinction between probationers is that parolees have served some time incarcerated
Common characteristics among both include:
They have committed crimes
They have been convicted of crimes
They are under control or supervision
They are subject to one or more conditions

4. Parole and Parolees The Historical Context of Parole
Parole existed in eighteenth century Spain, France, England, and Wales
Britain exported excess prisoners to America until the revolutionary war
After that England exported them to Australia
The U.S. connection with use of parole occurred in 1863 when Gaylord Hubbell, the warden at Sing Sing prison visited Ireland
Subsequently the National Prison Association considered the Irish parole system
Walter Crofton’s mark system is probably the forerunner of good-time credit

5. Parole and Alternative Sentencing Systems
Indeterminate sentencing and parole
Indeterminate sentencing is the only scheme that involves the intervention of parole boards
Parole boards are vested with absolute discretion concerning who gets paroled and are therefore very powerful
They also are responsible for the release of inmates who have committed further crimes and therefore they have been criticized

6. Parole and Alternative Sentencing Systems
Positive features of indeterminate sentencing
Allows full implementation of rehabilitative ideal
Maintains an orderly environment within the institution
Prevents unnecessary incarceration of an offender
Decision of length of incarceration reflects needs of the offender and not the gravity of the crime
Acts as a deterrent to crime

7. Parole and Alternative Sentencing Systems
Negative features of indeterminate sentencing
Inmates are not treated, trained, or rehabilitated
Treatment is tokenism and rehabilitation is nonexistent
Indeterminate sentencing makes it easy to ignore the underlying causes of crime
More often used as an instrument of inmate control
Danger that indeterminate sentencing will be used to punish people for unpopular political beliefs
Indeterminate sentencing encourages the smart criminal and not the less intelligent offender

8. Parole and Alternative Sentencing Systems
The shift to determinate sentencing
Nearly half of all states have shifted to determinate sentencing
This has resulted in abolition of parole
Federally, the United States has done the same with federal sentencing guidelines
This means more persons going to prison and for longer periods

9. Parole and Alternative Sentencing Systems
Good Time Credit and Early Release
Good time is a reward for good behavior and a management tool in most prisons
A majority of states permit good time credit at the rate of 15 days or more per month served
Prison overcrowding is probably the reason most states offer good time credit

10. The Philosophy of Parole
Parole has been established for the purpose of rehabilitation and reintegration
Parole is a continuation of a parolees punishment
Parole is earned rather than automatically granted

11. Functions of Parole Manifest functions Latent functions
To reintegrate parolees back into society
To control and Crime
Latent functions
To ease prison and jail overcrowding
To remedy sentencing disparities
To protect the public

12. A Profile of Parolees in the United States
Number of parolees under supervision
In 2004, 6.99 million persons were under some form of correctional supervision
Of these, 765,355 or 11% were on parole
Parole population grew about 12.6% from to 2005

13. Methods of Release from Prison
Release of large numbers of inmates is the result of many factors
Discretionary release
Involves parole board decision to release prisoners before they have served their full sentence
Mandatory release
Occurs when prisoners have served their full sentence minus good time credit
Unconditional release
Leave prison after serving full term behind bars

14. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Reentry refers to releases of prison and jail inmates back into the community
About 95% of all inmates will eventually be released back into their communities
Consistently and unfortunately, 65% of these will eventually reoffend

15. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Prison-based initiative to assist parolees and their merits
Do prisoners have the right to be rehabilitated?
The extent and nature of prison services varies greatly among prisons
Attaining sustainable employment and acceptance into the workforce is an obstacle to connecting with the community
Employers are reluctant to hire ex-offenders

16. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Preliminary classification and segregation
The first thing that happens to inmates upon entry into prison is that they are classified
Older offenders are separated from younger ones
Those with communicable diseases are segregated from healthy inmates
Those violent are separated from those less violent

17. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Presidential promises for corrections
In 2002–2004 George Bush allocated over $100 million to prisoner reentry and transitional services
The program Going Home made it clear that the federal government recognized the importance of rehabilitative programming
Since then, however, there has been a sharp reduction in federal, state, and local programs that provide offenders with life skills necessary for reintegration

18. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Seamless parole and parole programs
Idea is to provide continuity of care for inmates while they are confined, and to continue this care into community life
Program goals are to provide a seamless method of supervision and ease the transition of offenders
It makes sense to develop procedures that will promote transition of prison- to-community treatment monitoring

19. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Characteristics of parolees who reenter their communities
In offenders were being returned to their communities
40% have less than a high school education
70% have been using drugs prior to incarceration
Over 50% were unemployed
Only 20% have received some sort of drug treatment

20. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
Obstacles to effective parolee reentry
Community resistance
The NIMBY syndrome
The costs and benefits of correctional treatment programs
Parolee restrictions and collateral sanctions
Parolees with serious mental illnesses

21. Inmate Classification Systems
Varieties of reentry programs
The Transition from Prison to Community Initiative (TPCI)
The Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI)
The Reentry Partnership Initiative (RPI)

22. Parole Reentry and Reentry Issues
The emergence of reentry courts
Patterned after drug courts, these are where judges oversee and promote positive among inmates returning to their communities
Core elements of reentry courts:
Offender assessment and planning
Active offender oversight
Accountability to the community
Graduated and parsimonious sanctions
Access to an array of support services
Positive judicial reinforcement

23. The Growing Gang Presence
Increasing numbers of parolees are affiliated with gangs
Even if they are non gang members when entering prison, they will likely join a gang once in prison
Parole officers have reported that a major problem is gang affiliation
Overcoming gang influence is difficult
Gang Overview