The Board of Parole’s primary task for many hearings is to determine an individual’s efforts towards rehabilitation and the person’s current level of risk to reoffend. In the limited circumstances where the Board is tasked to determine an individual’s prison term, the Board is bound by strict sentencing rules that were in effect at the time when the crime was committed.
Prior to making a release decision, the Board of Parole will order that an individual participate in a psychological evaluation that includes an evaluation and an assessment for risk of reoffending. The Board of Parole uses the psychological evaluation and other available information along with experience and professional judgment in making final paroling decisions. Our contracted psychologists utilize multiple validated risk assessments in their evaluations to assess risk of future criminal behavior.
Lastly, the Board has the authority to return a limited number of people on supervision back to prison if they violate the conditions of their supervision. In such circumstances, the Board will determine the severity of the violations and the appropriate amount of time that is necessary to hold the person in custody to protect the safety of the public.
Types of Board Hearings
Below are the types of hearings that the Board of Parole holds*
- Prison Term (PT):
- Hearing held to establish a prison term by setting a projected parole release date, or choosing not to set a parole date under
the substantive law in effect at the time of the commitment offense(s).
- Personal Review (PR):
- Hearing to determine whether an adult-in-custody’s progress indicates outstanding reformation so as to warrant a reduction in the prison term. At least two weeks prior to review,
adults-in-custody may submit evidence of achievement in dealing with problems present at the time of incarceration and associated with criminal conduct, e.g., substance abuse treatment,
anger management, sex adult in custody treatment or self-study. Also considered is the adult's current risk to the community.
- Parole Consideration (PCRP):
- Hearing for adults-in-custody sentenced by the trial court as a “dangerous offender” to determine whether the conditions that made the person dangerous are absent or in remission.
A psychiatric or psychological evaluation will be reviewed, as well as other information required by statute. If the dangerous condition is absent or in remission,
or if the Board concludes that the adult-in-custody can be adequately controlled with supervision and treatment, a parole release date may be set. If the person is not released, another parole
consideration hearing date will typically be scheduled in two years.
- Exit Interview (EIPS):
- Hearing for adults-in-custody who fall under the matrix system (crime committed before November 1, 1989), or for murderers and aggravated murderers after a successful Murder Review hearing, where the Board may review psychiatric or psychological evaluations, the adult in custody’s conduct while confined, and the adult in custody’s
parole plan. Projected parole release date may be affirmed or deferred.
- Murder Review (MR):
- Hearing to determine whether or not the adult-in-custody is likely to be rehabilitated within a reasonable period of time so that the adult's sentence may be
converted to life with the possibility of parole, post-prison supervision, or work release.
- Parole Postponement (PP):
- Hearing after Board receives a report of serious misconduct and a recommendation from DOC to determine whether the parole release date should be postponed for serious
misconduct during confinement. The extension of the prison term can be from 5% to 100% of the prison term, but no more than five (5) years. Inoperative (escape) time will be added.
- Parole Hearing (PH):
- Interview of adults-in-custody who are under the “Discretionary System” (crimes committed before 1977 legislative change). Review of adult in custody’s personality, responsibility, intelligence, training,
family and community support, employment history, past use of drugs or alcohol, disabilities, prior criminal record, attitude toward law and authority, conduct in the institution, program participation,
performance during previous parole or probation and parole plan. Conducted every two years; may result in the setting of a parole date.
- Future Disposition (FD):
- Hearing conducted after revocation of parole or (in limited circumstances) PPS to determine whether the adult-in-custody should be re-released onto parole or PPS, or should serve a further term of imprisonment.
*This chart provides general information and is not an exhaustive list of applicable rules and statutes.