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Understanding Parole: Conditional Release from Incarceration

Learn about the concept of parole, the eligibility criteria, and the historical development of this conditional release program. Explore the different release mechanisms, organization of releasing authorities, and criteria for parole release.

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Understanding Parole: Conditional Release from Incarceration

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  1. Chapter 15 Release from Incarceration

  2. definition “parole” • the conditional release of an inmate from incarceration after part of the prison sentence has been served • release is typically to a period ofsupervision in the community • offender must comply with specific behavioral requirements during this time

  3. definition “parole eligibility” • the point in a prisoner’s sentence when he/she is first legally able to be released from prison • determined variously, in different jurisdictions • at the end of the minimum term, less good time • at a specific fraction (eg, 1/3 or 1/2) of the minimum or the maximum sentence • “good time” affects eligibility in various ways • offender sees parole board automatically, when eligible (no need to “apply”)

  4. confusion about “parole” dual meaning of “parole” a mechanism whereby offenders are released from prison, usually by a “parole board” a method (and period) of supervision the offender spends in the community

  5. conceptual basis of parole “parole” grace or privilege custody contract government extends privilege of release, though offender could be kept in prison parole is an extension of correctional programs into the community; offender is still the responsibility of the government government enters into agreement with offender, who promises to comply with certain conditions in exchange for being released

  6. predecessors of parole • historical methods of moving criminals out of prison in England, Ireland, and Australia were responses to: • crowding • labor shortages • cost of incarceration • methods included: • conditional pardon • apprenticeship by indenture • transportation • tickets of leave

  7. Alexander Maconochie • key figure in parole (1787-1860) • administered British penal colonies in Tasmania/South Pacific/England • offender sentenced to certain number of “marks,” according to severity of offense • offender could reduce sentence by earning “marks” for work, good behavior • sentence also tied to graduated steps: • strict imprisonment • labor on chain gang • freedom within one area • ticket-of-leave or parole with conditional pardon • full liberty

  8. Walter Crofton • built on Maconochie’s ideas (1815-1897) • Ireland system (“intermediate system”) • period of solitary confinement • public work prisons (could earn “marks”) • intermediate stage (after earning enough marks); like halfway house • ticket of leave (conditional release) • Crofton added: • parolees submitted monthly reports to police • special civilian inspector (Dublin) supervised

  9. U.S. evolution of parole • Zebulon Brockway released prisoners on parole with NY indeterminate law, 1876 • 1900: 20 states have parole systems • 1910: each federal prison had own parole • 1925: 46 states (not Miss, Va) • 1930: Congress created US Board of Parole • 1942: Mississippi and Virginia joined

  10. Release mechanisms 3 ways out discretionary release expiration release release of inmate (to conditional supervision) at the discretion of the parole board, within boundaries of sentence & law; inmate is subject release of an offender from custody (no add’l supervision); offender may not be returned to prison for any part of sentence. applies in cases of commutation, pardon, or end of sentence mandatory release required release of an inmate (to conditional supervision) at the expiration of a certain time period, as determined by law or parole guidelines

  11. How inmates are released % of all releases

  12. organization of releasing authoritiesissues • parole board • consolidated vs. autonomous? • inside dept. of corrections • more responsive to corrections needs & programs • independent agency of government • less affected by institutional/dept. pressures • field services • under parole board vs. under corrections? • board members • full vs. part time? • appointment • by governor vs. by department? • who is “qualified” to be on a board? • what makes one “qualified?”

  13. criteria for parole release • offense • severity & attitude toward offense • public attitude about offense • criminal record • attitude toward family, victim, authority • institutional behavior, participation, & improvement • history of community adjustment • health (physical, mental, emotional) • insight into causes of behavior • adequacy of parole plan

  14. definition “parole guidelines” • method for structuring decisionsof paroling authorities (like sentencing guidelines), by standardizing release decisions according to the objective measurement of relevant criteria along two dimensions: • a “severity scale” rates crimes according to their seriousness • a “salient factor score” measures the offender’s criminal history & factors regarded as relevant to his/her success on parole

  15. definition “presumptive parole date” • the presumed release date stipulated by parole guidelines, as long as the offender serves his/her time without disciplinary (or other) incidents

  16. estimated time to be served by adults convicted of various offenses average time served (in months)

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