Parole is the release of an Offender from incarceration to serve the remainder of his or her sentence under supervision in the community known as the "free world".  Offenders may only be paroled if they receive approval from a parole panel and if they have served enough of their sentence to be eligible by law for parole.  Parole is a privilege, not a right.
      

A Parole Packet is a presentation compiled of documents and statements regarding the Offender.  It details the Offender’s life and accomplishments since and due to incarceration.  A Parole Packet can help the Parole Board determine whether or not an Offender should be granted parole.  
                                  
One of the main purposes of a Parole Packet is to humanize the Offender to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and to show that the Offender is not only eligible for parole but ready for parole.  A Parole Packet shows the positive outcome of prison! 

Parole Review Process

Ø  A Parole Division case pull list identifies offenders 6 months prior to initial parole eligibility date and subsequent parole review cases are identified 4 months prior to next review date.

Ø  Notice is sent to trial officials, victims, victims’ family.

Ø  IPO interviews offender and prepares parole case summary.

Ø  Offender’s file is sent to appropriate board office.

v  A panel consists of 3 parole panel members.

v  1st voting member reviews and votes on the case.

v  Case transferred to 2nd voting member who reviews and votes on the case.

v  2 similar votes = final vote on case.

v  If the first two votes differ from each other, the 3rd voting member of the panel reviews the case and breaks the tie.

v  There must be a majority of two votes for a vote to become final.

Ø  Offender is notified of the parole panel decision via correspondence.

Ø  Interviewing the offender is at the discretion of the parole panel member.

Ø  Granting interviews to individuals in support/protest of an offender’s release is also at the parole panel member’s discretion.

Ø  Parole panel members must grant an interview to victims upon request.

If, Parole is granted...  Congratulations on receiving a favorable vote!  However, if Parole is denied, the review process repeats until parole is granted or the sentenced time is served and discharged.