My relative pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 10 years and is serving his time at the United States Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) at Fort Leavenworth.

Assuming he maintains good conduct, does his job and participates in educational/vocational courses, how long would he actually serve?

His second parole hearing will be in Febuary. I want to write a letter to his parole board. What should an effective (and hopefully successful) letter say?

not for sure the research I have done says 1/3 of time, but my son served 1/2 of his time and everything was done correctly ie: good behavior, worked, and went to classess. So not for sure if it depends on where they are sent my son was sent to RCF in Washington State. N0t for sure about the letter either, we weren't able to write to the parole board we were able to go to the actual parole hearing talk but not write a letter, then again it might be different with your family member.
Sorry couldn't be more help
Good luck

I dont have a clue. We are up for annual parole/clemency in March and were jsut talking about what we should submit for the local "hearing" at the DB. Will keep you posted if I learn anything great to share.

I have an electronic copy of AR 15-130 Army Clemency and Parole Board if anyone needs it. Its a short regulation, but may help to understand what the board can and cannot do, what they will accept, ect.

PM me.

Hey, that's great. When did your man start serving? My husband is accepting a 9 year plea...hasn't started yet. Could you send me the copy of that form?

Generally, a sentence of 10 years will require 1/3 to be served (by regulation). However, each plea agreement is different and those terms control. If you don't have a copy, your inmate should. Check the terms to see if there is anything specific regarding sentencing.

A letter to a parole/clemency board should first, identify you and your relationship to the inmate. Be as plain spoken and to the point as possible. Tell them WHY they should grant parole/clemency and be specific: examples of having served good time, personal knowledge of rehabilitation, remorse, etc. Just don't whine and say they should be released because it is just unfair. That will kill the deal. That's a bit blunt, but just be sure there isn't a "tone" to your letter that imparts that impression. Don't argue legal issues (even if you do know the law and can make a good argument), you're not the attorney and that is not the purpose of the letter. And, use the KISS theory - Keep It Short & Simple.

Here is the URL to the Army Publications. You can find a lot of information here.

http://www.apd.army.mil/USAPA_PUB_pubrange_P.asp

I'm sure there are links for each service, but I only have the Army bookmarked, sorry!

Hope this is helpful, if only a little bit. Good luck to all of you. We're still about 5 years from the first parole hearing and I think I'll start writing the letter now...use it to keep a record of things my son says, does, etc. That way I will have something of substance (and can use dates!) to make my point. Hmm, should have started that 5 years ago! (lol).

Keep the Faith!
~Lisa.

I was sentenced to 10 years confinement and never recieved any clemency. I worked at the USDB and recieved abatement days. I was released after 5 years and 9 months. I never recieved any special abatemetent days (for special projects, scorekeeper, etc) that could have reduced it further. Without the abatement, I would have served about 1/3 of my sentence.

Russ