Running head: CHECKPOINT: PAROLE AND MANDATORY RELEASE

Checkpoint: Parole and Mandatory Release Denise Silven CJS/230 August 3, 2011 Joseph Micieli

CHECKPOINT: PAROLE AND MANDATORY RELEASE Checkpoint: Parole and Mandatory Release Parole is a method of release from custody similar to release on recognizance. Parole is granted through the action of a parole board. A prisoner becomes eligible for parole review after serving a specified portion of his or her sentence. Mandatory release is a method of release from jail or prison in which a prisoner receives credit for time served plus good time. Parole and mandatory release differ in that an inmate is granted parole under the mandatory release rules only after he or she has served approximately 85 percent of their sentence and

accumulated good behavior time. Parole is only granted either at the completion of the sentence or at the discretion of a parole board and does not consider good behavior time. (Foster, 2006). The current parole and mandatory release policies involve an eight step process: (1) an inmate or his attorney files an application for parole; (2) a file is prepared by a parole officer; (3) a parole hearing is held and attended by a parole board member, an institutional parole officer, the inmate, and a stenographer; (4) the disposition of the hearing which means the full parole board meets in Washington, D.C.; (5) the inmate is given the conditions of his or her parole which means a volunteer adviser is assigned to the parolee and the parolee is prepared for release; (6) the parolee is supervised by a federal parole officer for the remainder of his or sentence; (7) arrest and return to prison if the parolee violates the terms of his or her parole; and (8) final discharge of the parolee upon successful completion of his or her parole. (Foster, 2006). In my opinion, the current parole process might be improved by violent inmates being required to serve almost 100 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, violent inmates should only be considered for parole after serving at least 90 to 95 percent of their sentence and time off for good behavior should not be considered. By serving most if not all of their sentence, violent inmates might realize that

CHECKPOINT: PAROLE AND MANDATORY RELEASE privileges, such as early release, are not granted for people who commit crimes such as murder and rape.

CHECKPOINT: PAROLE AND MANDATORY RELEASE References Foster, B. (2006). Corrections: The fundamentals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall