I was just curious. My friend is in Safford and has about a year left before his parol date. I am not sure how parole works, but he is wanting to parole to California. Does this require him having a realitive to be paroled to? I am his ex wife, and I don't think he can be paroled to me because I am not family. Or once his time is up can he just go where he want? Thanks!

My guy is going to go through this process soon (I hope).

The inmate has to apply for an interstate compact (for the parole part). From what I have found out, it seems that in order for Calif to accept (or maybe Arizona to release) the inmate for the interstate compact, the inmate must have an adult blood relative or a spouse in California. Even then, there is no guarantee that the interstate compact will be approved.

I am not sure yet if they will need to have a job waiting for them in Calif -- I am still trying to get a real answer on that one.

The inmate's counselor should be able to help the inmate with the paperwork. I think it needs to be started about 3 or 4 months before their earliest release date. My guy should be starting his paperwork in about month.

As far as him being able to go where he wants when his time is up, I believe he can unless he is going on probation (then he would have to apply for an interstate compact for that too). Some inmates just stay in prison instead of taking the temporary release so when they walk out of prison they are DONE with the ADOC!!

I am just learning all this myself, so excuse me if I sound so unsure of myself. It is hard to get definite answers from the DOC - but I keep trying. We also don't seem to have a lot of people in our Arizona forum --- so we all have to stick together and share our information!!

Kim

Well, thank you for the info. I don't know how that would work then because he has no blood realitives here that are adults. We have a son but I am sure that won't matter. As for probation I am pretty sure he will be on that. He had said something about being released to a half way house and doing his probation then coming out here. But who knows. You are also in So. Cal? and your loved one is in Az? Thanks ~Crys~

From what I understand, if there is an opening the inmate can be released to a halfway house for the "parole" - parole being what is called temporary release or community supervison - I also think that the early release from the good time credits is considered parole too. Did your ex say that he can serve his probation in a halfway house??? I haven't heard that.

Maybe your status as ex-wife will make a difference and plus you have a son together. We also have a child, but I am not willing to take the chance. We were planning on getting married when he got home, so I guess we can just do it a little soomer. I called the department that is in charge of interstate compact paroles (in Phoenix). I couldn't get any definitive information until I spoke to them. We were just trying to figure it out on our own - not a good idea! Getting married is still not a guarantee they will release him to California or that California has to accept him! Is your ex a resident of California? I have been getting K's paperwork all in order to help prove his residency. It seems to me that it just can't be so cut and dry - adult blood relative or spouse!

Depending on the county he got probation from- really depending on who his probation officer is (in Arizona) will make a difference in how difficult it will be to transfer the probation to California.

I do know that it will cost a couple of hundred dollars for the interstate compact. The inmate starts filling the paperwork out for the interstate compact about 6 months before his early release date.

Yup I am in So. Cal and he is in Arizona (Lewis). I just went to Arizona for the day - it was my interview with the chaplain - I think they said it was about 115 outside -- all I know is that is was HOT! Then I got to take a "quick" drive over to Phoenix. I think I know more about the marriage process than his counselor (who must be new). We've made a few mistakes in this process which seems to be slowing it down a little, but I am persistant.

Also, did he get incarcerated before October '02? That was when the new bill went into effect giving good time credit for jail time. Well, when they recalculated K's, they didn't do it right. It is a good idea to make sure the dates are correct that on the website. It took a little effort, but the time calculation lady finally believed me and we got his dates corrected!


Kim

Hi! I'm from a town just 70 miles from Safford. My husband has been in Texas prisons since 1999, but I was in AZ a while back and we were thinking about interstate compact. I called the Parole office in Safford and talked to a man named Gary White (I think that was his name!) This guy was so helpful. He answered a lot of my questions about interstate compact. He probably has experience with parolees who want to transfer to California. Just a thought. Good Luck!
:)

Thanks alot, to both of you. He went into prison in June of 2000. Also no he is not a resident of Califronia. He used to be but we had moved to az. I just moved back before he went to prison. So I guess he will have to talk to the people there and see what they say!