ParoleParole

ParoleParole

What is Parole?

Jails and PrisonsJails and Prisons

What is the difference between jail and prison?

• Jail:

• Prison:

Parole HistoryParole History

Reasons For Parole Origin:

Parole HistoryParole History

Parole Intent

Parole CriticismsParole Criticisms

Criticisms

Parole HistoryParole History

Parole has traditionally been linked to Indeterminate Sentencing.– Wide Ranging Discretion– Freedom From External Controls– Statutes Specify Maximum Sentences

• Good Time Statutes allowed deduction of time served for good behavior.

Types Of Prison ReleaseTypes Of Prison Release

• Conditional (AKA: Discretionary)

• Mandatory

• Unconditional

Important TerminologyImportant Terminology

Minimum Expiration Date (MED)

Parolee Adjustment ProblemsParolee Adjustment Problems

• Parolees

Parolee Adjustment ProblemsParolee Adjustment Problems

• Most offenders

Civil LibertiesCivil Liberties

• Felons lose some civil liberties.

ArgumentArgument

Parole, like prison, is supposed to change a person, making them less likely to re-offend and more likely to survive in society.

Some argue to abolish parole.Why not argue to abolish prison? It doesn’t work to improve behavior.

Parole AbolitionParole Abolition

• Parole has been abolished in 17 states.

• Get-Tough Era of Corrections

Parole AbolitionParole Abolition

• Has parole been abolished in Virginia?• Is parole still granted in Virginia?

Parole Administrative Parole Administrative StructureStructure

• Three Types

• Institutional Model• Autonomous Model• Consolidated Model

Parole Administrative Parole Administrative StructureStructure

• Institutional Model

Parole Administrative Parole Administrative StructureStructure

• Autonomous Model

Parole Administrative Parole Administrative StructureStructure

• Consolidated Model

RealityReality

• If parole was abolished in Virginia, why would legislators re-institute it under other names?• Reason: The need to appear tough on crime.

• Is this ethical leadership?• Does it say politicians lack faith in the public’s

ability to make informed decisions?

Parole Grant RatesParole Grant Rates

• National Parole Grant Rates• 1977 72%• 1988 About 40%

• Virginia Parole Grant Rates• 1988 42%• 1995 8%• 2001 About 8%

Parole Grant RatesParole Grant Rates

• Parole decisions are made by Parole Boards.

Parole Bias and Parole Bias and Public ResponsibilityPublic Responsibility

• Virginia parole grant rate when Gov. George Allen took office was 42%.

• Gov. Allen appointed a new Parole Board. The grant rate immediately dropped to 6%.

• Richmond Times Dispatch ran the story. • The grant rate immediately rose to 15%.

Parole Bias and Parole Bias and Public ResponsibilityPublic Responsibility

• Fact: Probation and Parole are at least as effective as prison at reducing recidivism.

• Fact: CBC with TX costs less than prison and greatly reduces recidivism.

• It is good public stewardship to confine all offenders for 85% of their sentence?