My husband & I have recently moved to Arkansas from Texas. Our son is an inmate at the TDCJ.
He is suppose to go before the parole board either March or April.
We know about the interstate parole compact, my question is how does the parole system work here in Arkansas? I know in Texas, alot of times the parole people will just call you and ask if the inmate will be paroling to the particular address, but I've also heard that some states require the parole people to come to the home. Does it vary from inmate to inmate, do they search your house? I need to know so I can be prepared. Thanx for any input anyone may have! =0)
Carla (ODIESMOM)

Here in Oregon, they contact the prospective home and then come and do a home visit before they approve it as the place the person will parole to. They look around at things, especially paying attention to the place the parolee will have for sleeping and a personal area and they make note of who else will be living in the home and what the conditions seem to be there. Most parole conditions include no alcohol or drugs, so if it seems that the prospective home's residents are into those things, they probably won't approve parole. In your case, the PO will be a PO in your town rather than anyone from Texas, but you probably know that already. I hope this has helped.

Thanks for the info, I guess we meet the criteria, it's just myself, hubby, & his handicapped daughter. He'll have his own room, and my husband already has him a job lined up until he can get into school. Thanx again for replying so fast!!
Carla (ODIESMOM)

You're welcome. I'm glad I helped. Good luck, and it does sound like you'll pass muster.

Are they parolling him to Arkansas? I was wondering because my mate is in Arkansas and I live here in Texas (close to TDJC).He wants us to move to Arkansas though.

Well, we're hoping!! And where he's at right now there are 2 guys that he knows well that have been able to parole to anothe state. One went to Colorado, the other to N. Carolina. Just when he goes before the parole board he needs to ask them for a INTERSTATE PAROLE COMPACT. Don't even bother doing it before he goes before the board (been there done that). But if you haven't moved yet and are going to, it really needs to be done ASAP, so things can already be established. When is he suppose to be up for parole?
Hope this helps some!! Carla (ODIESMOM)

My son is in the Tucker unit, he should be eligible for parole in 6 months after completing the RSVP program. He had turned in a parole plan over a year ago and our home was approved then, but he has to turn in another parole plan before release and was told supposely by the parole officer that he couldn't be paroled home because we live to church to a church. Does anyone know anything about the restrictions they have and if it includes churches?

So, if you live close to a church they won't parole them there?
My mate is in Boot Camp at the Wrightsville Unit. My understanding of what he told me was that he would be released December 15.He said, he might have to return to the residence at the time of his arrest.This was back in April when he told me this. I haven't had any type of contact from him since then except for letters.He's not allowed any visitation or phone calls.

What a mess. Annamac, I hear you! I know what RSVP is, I didn't know there were restrictions on living near churches. I guess I shouldn't buy the home I was going to look at in Arkansas because it's too close to a park. Kind of hard to know where I'm supposed to move to without knowing all the restrictions. I guess a call to Constituent Services is in order.
32 acres in the middle of no where sounds good!!!

Slopokes, the restriction with the church is only certain types of crimes.

Hey.....thanks Juliwaits. Still trying to figure out my next move. Everything is still up in the air.......no news yet

Slopokes' - you and me both girlfriend! Guess that's why we're all here - find people in the same situation. At least I'll know soon where my husband will be for the rest of his term.

Why cant this damn counter (below) move any FASTER????

Ammamac, you said in one of your posts, that your home was approved....can you tell me what all they do to approve you? Do they do a home study, look around, search, or what? Odie's time is getting short, and I want to have everything here (at home) to be OK. We've already done the support letters etc. Just don't know much (basically nothing) about how they (whoever they are) go about seeing if the place is acceptable for a inmate 2 parole 2!! Carla (ODIESMOM)

Annamac, the restrictions you are wondering about include schools and daycares, but not churches and only apply to certain levels of certain offenses - see your PM.

Annamac, it hit me in the middle of the night, that if the church has a daycare (many do) then the restriction would apply. :(

Carla,

carla, sorry about that, my gtandaughter moved the mouse just as I was writing. the parole officer called me and said that they would be out sometime that week and check things out. That they can come in my house at anytime and search it for weapons, drugs, ect. Then my son gets a letter stating that our home was approve, we never seen the paroke officer!

The new parole officer in Crawford County was the one who told my son that he could not be paroled to our home because we lived to close to a church. I was amazed! But the church has put up play ground equipment, but there is no daycare there. They are only opened for regular services. The play ground equipment is just for the children attending church, not for a daycare. An internet attorney told me that it was up to the parole board, but I know that the oarole officer sends the board his recomendations wether the parole plan be approved or not. I was told to talk to the church and ask them to write a letter stating that they do have a daycare on the premis's. But I haven't done that yet. It makes me very nervous to talk to people.

If your place got approved, no need to write a letter. All is well!!
Hang in there!