I called the "release and review" parole number and they said that my son is in review right now but that he did not have a "parole date". She acted like she didn't even know what I was talking about. She just said that they would make a decision between August and October. She did not have an exact date. Don't they get a date for the "parole hearing"? Do they let the inmate know the date, if one is set? What is the procedure? I am confused. My son has a long record of all kinds of stuff...DWI, possession of a fire arm under the influence (?), domestic violence, contributing to a minor, poss of marijuana, etc. etc. Do you think there is any chance he will get parole? This is his first time in prison. I guess no one could answer that question but are his chances slim?
Thanks for your help!

Kim,
That is the answer you receive whenever you call TDCJ. And it always varies depending on who is on the other line. I believe they give themselves 4 months or so for the review "process". We called the unit and would speak to the parole officer on the unit to see where they stood with all the necessary documentation they had gathered to send off to the Parole Board. I do still feel that when it gets close to time your best bet is contacting the Parole Board office for the region he is is in. If you know the Parole Eligibility date, then you will have more to work with. Your son can request his time sheet at the unit and it will have all his dates on eligibility and credits for good time listed. Also have you written letters and had employers and friends or other relatives writing letters to the Parole Board to place in his file? There is a post somewhere here that says a bit about how the Board can ultimately determine a release to Parole by calculating all these different factors as to the severity of his crime and age and other issues they deem significant to come up with this "Risk" factor. But in the end it depends on the yes or no vote of three people and what is in his file from TDC. Support letters can help. I got really off into it when my man was under review. Plus it is not necessarily a "hearing" you attend. If you would like more info on any particulars let me know.

HONEY

fed-x posted this 3-6-2003 in the texas forum. my husband's next review date is in a year so i've been combing through posts for any information i can find. thank you for your questions kim and your reply honey..good luck:)

Texas Parole Points System
Understanding new parole point system:
A step-by-step guide for offenders

LINK: http://www.prisontalk.com/txparolepointsys.htm

*NOTE*
Due to the template for this document, it was near impossible to post it here without losing its layout, so I have made a separate web page for everyone to view.

A big thanks to Becky for submitting this to me for everyone here to view. I am sure it will help explain many points of interest to those dealing with Texas Parole.

David

JJH,

Is this the first review? What specifically is he in for on this round?

BPP (Board of Pardons/Paroles) in Texas is TOUGH on DWI offenders. The first parole review takes 4-6 months, and 1st round is usually awarded about 20-25% of the time. Your son would have been interviewed by the IPO (Institutional Parole Officer) and they would have prepared his file for the board).

Round 2 (for mandatory & and unless you had the board set off to a specific date) only takes 4-6 weeks, and is awarded about 50-60%.

It all depends on the crime, the length of sentence, good time/work time accrued, cases/tickets since incarceration, classes taken/programs completed while incarcerated. They "allegedly" look at all these things; however, the Board's approval rates have dropped, and the 78th legislature is reviving the bill in special session to replace the 18 member board with 7 members. These 7 members would meet regularly, and have commissioners to help in making decisions. As it is now, each board member reviews the computer and the individual file and faxes their vote in.

There is much criticism on how the board currently operates, and while they are locking more people up, they are releasing fewer and fewer. Past averages would suggest you could expect to serve approximately 33%-50% of your sentence. Sentence completion averages are now exceeding 50%.

Tell you son, the best thing to do to make parole is to keep your head down, and your mouth closed. Sign up for EVERYTHING available, as they will fail to tell you about classes/programs, then treat it as "denied" when it comes time for review. Case/Ticket free is best, but some COs just won't allow this. He will have the advantage of this being his first time in...the Board does look at that.

I would suggest contacting Nancy Hees, the parole OMBUDSMAN in Austin. She can review the information on the system and let you know what's going on. She is a wonderful asset, a nice lady, and she knows her stuff.
(512-406-5401).

Keep us posted, and let me know if you need additional numbers for contact within TDCJ.

kath

As usual, Kath knows her stuff!

Thanks ya'll so much for your helpful answers, Honey, David, and Kath. You have been such a help to me ever since I found you all. It's amazing to me how many of you will just continue to help and answer the same questions from all the new people, over and over again. Never getting tired of helping those who are going through the trauma of being new to all of this.
My son has all that stuff mentioned above on his record but he was finally arrested for burglary, put on probation (deferred ajudication?), violated probation by using and now serving the five year sentence. He also has a felony arson but charges were dropped due to temporary insanity due to alchohol delusions (?). I am not totally sure of all this wording. He says that the arson is still on his record for them to see even though charges were dropped.
Thanks for your expertise on all this. Man, I can not believe how hard they are on DWI's. Good grief. There by the grace of God go I.

Kim.....

If the do early release, techinical violators are among some of the first to be let go...I should caution you though (and this is gonna sound crazy, but will make sense eventually), FOCUS ON THE MAX OUT DATE, and be willing to take anything shy of that. It helps not make you so nuts IF he is denied!

Holler if you need anything!
kath

A Review date is made before one comes up for parole.

Good luck and listen to Kath, :) she is a sweet heart in this stuff

In my case---I first called the TDCJ automated number which is 1-800-535-0285---it will tell you limited info.but will give you a "projected"release date---when you are about a month away from that then call directly to the parole ombudsman in Austin and they should be able to give you some info. then.
Good Luck!!!
---BLESSED BE!!!---