My wife is currently serving a 15 year sentence for Solicitation for Capital Murder at TDCJ/Hilltop. She was sentenced on April 30th, 2001 and is eligible for her first parole hearing on 12/16/2003.

Apparently there are several letters in her file in support of and against her parole. Her behavior in prison has been case-free, but I don't know what her 'probability' of being granted parole is after serving a mere 19.5 months of a 15 year sentence.

Anyone out there have any words of wisdom to share on the likelihood of her being granted parole?

-Michael

Michael,

Statistically, for parole eligible offenses, the old school calculation would be to expect to serve approximately 1/2 of the sentence. (roughly 51%) It's hard to say now with all the changes in the parole boards.

The Criminal Justice Policy Council used to compile statistics on this kind of thing, but our illustrious Gov "How's my hair look today?" line-itemed vetoed the council. I'm not sure what the council's future is now.

You can go to their website and look up figures on previous parole statistics etc.

http://www.cjpc.state.tx.us/

The Texas Board also has statistics in it's last annual report...you might want to check there. The whole thing is a major crap shoot anymore. There doesn't seem to be much consistency.

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bpp/

kath

The December date only denotes the initial eligibility for parole. Texas does not have a parole hearing per se. Rather, that date is the earliest that someone can be released to a supervised status. The file will typically enter the review process in the 4-6 month window prior to the expected review date. The key date for tracking purposes will be when she has her interview at the unit with the Institutional Parole Officer. From there, the file would be expected to move to the Board office for a vote in an 8-10 week window. Being at Hilltop, this will be a Gatesville Panel vote and, since it was not a life sentence despite the capital offense, should not be an extraordinary vote case.

Nonetheless, if there is a protest in the file, there is a significant hurdle to overcome. First votes on any offense are difficult to obtain favorable action, but unfortunately, a Solicitation case with a protest in the file reduces the likelihood of favorable action that much more if the Board is only acting upon a desk review. Even with competent counsel representing her before the Board, it is difficult to say whether Bert, Lynn and/or Juanita could be persuaded to vote favorably.

The protest is going to be a much larger factor than the percentage of time served in a case like this.

I wish I had better news for you, but the realities of the process at this time are what I am looking at...

First of all welcome to PTO. I'm sorry I don't have any insight to the parole system but the links provided by Kath will be helpful to you.

I just want to say stay optimistic and well you just never know.

Wish you and your wife well,
BlueLily

Each case is different, we just never know, so just Pray, Pray, Pray, and then Pray. Welcome to PTO! Blessings,