1. Chapter 12 Parole and Release to the Community 1

2. Parole Practices  Extent of parole today Parole is the planned community release and supervision of incarcerated offenders before the expiration of their full prison sentences There are about 825,000 people on parole Each year about 500,000 inmates are released on parole 2

3. Principles of Parole  The state extends to offenders a privilege by releasing them from prison before their full sentence is served  The state also enters a release contract with offenders in exchange for their promise to abide by certain conditions 3

4. Principles of Parole  Offenders who violate the law or the conditions of parole can be returned to prison to complete their sentences  The state retains control of parolees until they are dismissed from parole

5. Types of Parole  The format of parole is determined by statutory requirement  discretionary parole—The decision to release inmates is made by a parole board  mandatory parole release—Parole is released on parole when he or she has served the maximum prison sentence less time served 5

6. The Parole Board  The Parole Board Determines whether an inmate serving an indeterminate sentence is ready for parole Aids, supervises and provides continuing control of parolees in the community Discharge parolees from parole Determine whether parole should be revoked 6

7. The Parole Board  parole guidelines—Actuarial devices predicting the risk of recidivism based on information about the offender and the crime  Discretionary parole decisions are made at a parole-grant hearing  The U.S. Parole Commission’s Salient Factor Score

8. The Parolee in the Community  Standard conditions for parolees include: Reporting to parole agent within 24 hours of release Not carrying weapons Reporting changes of address and employment Not traveling without parole officer’s approval Not committing crimes Submitting to police and/or parole officer searches

9. The Parole Officer  State parole agencies now employ nearly 65,000 full-time and 2,900 part-time workers.  Surveillance and constraint Parole agents have legal authority to search persons, places, and property without warrant. Able to arrest and confine without bail. 9

10. The Parole Officer  Supervision of parolees Aided now by technology Most high risk parolees are placed on intensive supervision parole A large portion of parole revocations are due to technical violations rather than new offenses

11. How Successful is Parole?  An important federal study showed about two- thirds released on parole were rearrested within three years Many of these maintained criminal peer associations, carry weapons, abuse alcohol, and harbor aggressive feelings  Why do people fail on parole? One reason may be the prison experience. The psychological and economic problems that lead offenders to recidivism are rarely addressed by a stay in prison 11

12. How Successful is Parole?  Marriage and family issues Recidivism may partly result from the disruptive effect of a prison experience on personal relationships 12

13. How Successful is Parole?  Six domains that influence the reintegration of offenders: Personal conditions Rehabilitation and counseling support Employment and training support Social network/environment Accommodation The criminal justice system

14. How Successful is Parole?  Visher and Travis found that recidivism is influenced by: Personal and situational characteristics Incarceration experiences The period after release

15. How Successful is Parole?  Recommendations to improve parole effectiveness include: Parole offices should incorporate neighborhood parole supervision Parole administrators should establish and test reentry courts and community partnerships Policy makers should establish procedures for ex- prisoners to reestablish citizenship

16. Legal Rights of Parolees  Receiving parole A two-stage process of initial review hearings and final parole hearings  Parole revocation Procedures begin when the parole officer requests a warrant based on an alleged violation of parole If probable cause is found, parolees are held for a revocation hearing. If not, they are returned to supervision 16

17. Reentry and Rehabilitation  More than 500,000 inmates are now being released back into the community each year  The effect on communities If insufficiently treated and prepared, risks include increases in child abuse, family violence, the spread of infectious diseases, homelessness, and community disorganization Many released find they are not welcome in public housing, have no immediate entitlement or unemployment benefits, and few job prospects 17

18. Reentry and Rehabilitation  Prisoners have significantly more physical and mental health problems than the general population  Even when public mental health services are available, many mentally ill individuals fail to use them because they fear institutionalization 18

19. Reentry and Rehabilitation  Legal restrictions that parolees face are bans of certain kinds of employment, limits on obtaining licenses, voting, and restrictions on the freedom of movement  Their criminal records may preclude them from retaining parental rights, may be grounds for divorce, and may bar them from serving on a jury, holding public office, and owning firearms. 19