My boyfriend goes up for the first time in August and I don't know what to expect. If there is anything that I can do that would make his chances of coming home greater, I would really like to know. I was told that they would allow me to speak at the hearing, but I would really like some info from someone who's gone through it or knows more about it. I asked about this in another forum, but was referred here.

While I'm on the subject; Is there one parole board for every state or is it per facility?

Dear babyrooh:

I'm sorry no one has replied and it is already August. What would help your boyfriend at his hearing are Letters of Recommendation/Reference from community leaders, past employers, minister, and friends that will support him both emotionally and financially(job??) when he gets out. Try and have 3-10 letters written for his hearing. The more the better. Also, it doesn't hurt to have those letters continually being sent on his behalf, not just before the hearing.

WHO WRITES SUPPORT LETTERS?
1. You, family members, close friends and loved ones.
2. Relatives, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
3. Respected members of the community, such as businessmen.
4. Prospective employers, school teachers, religious teachers, students, counselors, etc.
5. The inmates TDC supervisors or other people who have known him/her while in prison, e.g. chaplain, counselor, teacher, volunteers from the community.

If you can't find anyone who knows the inmate, you may ask for letters from people who know you and state that your support will be of value during the offender's re-adjustment to the community.

Also, people can write offering their support for the inmate based on their position in the community (such as a minister in your church.)


The letters should show:

1. Somebody knows the inmate and cares.
2. The inmate has free world input while in prison.
3. Someone will help when he/she gets out.
4. The good side of the inmate and thus help balance the bad side which appears in his or her criminal record.

There are several general areas of information to be included in these letters.

1. State your name, age and occupation. If you have been on the current job for a number of years, state the number of years you have been similarly employed.
2. State your relationship with the inmate and the length you have known him or her.
3. Your belief that, despite his/her mistake, he/she is a good person and the reason you feel this way.
4. Your belief that the offender will be a useful and law abiding citizen if given the opportunity. You may describe improvements in the inmate's attitude, behavior, or efforts he/she has made to improve himself/herself. If you will provide housing, give the address and a phone number if you have one. You can mention other kinds of help you can provide, for instance, clothing or transportation.

Other people who will write a support letters may include the same type of information. If they are willing to help the inmate in some way, they may include that in the letter. Some people are willing to help, but don't have money or a job to offer. They can offer to spend time with the offender doing something positive and worthwhile, or they can offer advice and encouragement. This kind of help is also necessary for someone just released from prison.

It is possible for prison employees to write letters of recommendation for parole. This is most commonly done by supervisors in a department where an inmate works or by ranking officials on the unit who have personal knowledge of the inmate.

I hope this helps and GOOD LUCK to you both!

gablesgirl

Thanks gablesgirl. His parole date has been pushed back, but it's nice to have this information to get started on.

I attended a parole hearing for my husband 2 years ago. He was the fifth person to go "up" that morning. Each of the families that were in before us were in there no longer than 5 minutes.

They read his charges, asked him a few questions and if he had anyone to speak on his behalf. Both his grandmother and I were there. They really didn't look at us while we were speaking so I don't know how much they took in (of what we were saying).

He was at a minimal security work release site so for the most part the guys are guaranteed release. But it is pretty much true that they have reviewed your man's jacket before he even goes up in person and they know wether or not they will release him or not. That is why it's important to get the letters to them months before he is due to go up.

Dear babyrooh,

I hope things go well for you and your boyfriend. Let us know. I was just checking this out and copied all the info the others offered, thanks so much everyone!

gablesgirl, great info! thank you!:D

Hi, My brother is at Tucker Ther. Unit and will eligible for parole later on this year. I have a question about the letters of recommendation. After the letters get wrote, should we send them to my brother or do we need to send them to a prison official? TIA

aj - do both. send them to him so he can bring them to his hearing, and send them to the parole board.
Department of Community Correction
Union National Plaza, 2nd Floor
105 West Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201