My sweetie was denied parole in November.
I want to know what are somethings I can do to help him make parole.
He is serving a 20 year sentence and he has already been there 10 years.
I want to try to help him because I thought you only did half of your sentence???? Correct me if I am wrong????

Any info anyone can provide would be appreciated!!!
thanks in advance

average statistics for parole release is about 51% (per the BPP 2002 annual report)...and you have to keep in mind, and I"m assuming his offense is eligible if he was denied, parole is a privilege, not a guarantee.

What is his projected release date? I"m assuming he will be exempt from the 96 DMS, and would, at some point, be up for mandatory supervision. Has he had disciplinary problems while incarcerated? This will get him set-off and denied parole. Why was he denied? Have you talked to the board? How long is the set off? You need to use this period for what I call "reloading." This gives you a chance to understand where you need to focus your efforts to see if he can't make it on the next round!

You can't really say, "I thought they only did 1/2 of their sentence." That statement is just too broad, and each case is different. We can help you try to make sense of this if we have a little bit more info.

kath

Thanks Kath...for you quick response.
Okay here is the situation he is doing a 20 year sentence for aggravated robbery. He was sentenced in 1993. He has had some behavior problems since being locked up...fights with other inmates. Most recent incident was the end of 2002. Which may be why he didn't make parole. I really don't know why he didn't make parole. I am just now trying to get involved and see what I can do. He hasn't really given me any other info except what I just relayed to you. I end up calling to Austin and finding out his hearing was November 18, 2003 and it was denied Nov. 19, 2003. How could a hearing take 1 day to decide? I am lost and just want to know what can I do to try to help him make at least have some positive feedback at his next hearing. Which is November 18, 2005. His projected release date is 2013. We have known each other since childhood...and have been serious about 2 years. So I am just now coming in. His family is no help. They act like they don't care and no one is trying to do anything. I am just a girlfriend...I am trying to do ANYTHING to help. Please tell me what steps I can take to help????? No I haven't talked to the parole board....am I allowed to??? I am new top this sitution. I don't even know where to start??????

First of all, the board voting the case inside of a day is not unheard of. The cases are voted on by 3 board members and most often, the 2 trailing voters will follow the lead voters direction. We found out Skip was approved in about 2 days. There isn't really a hearing per se, they review the file, and make a recommendation.

He needs to remain case free to be considered, and from what you've said, they gave him a 2 year set off. There is really nothing to be at this time on your end. They won't be pulling him again for a while. He needs to be a good boy, and stay case free. His good behavior will make the projected out date move up (with line class promotions).

Unless he stays out of trouble, he has no hope with the board voting him home. The best he can shoot for at this point is Mandatory Supervision in 2013, if he's not going to stay out of trouble. I'm a little confused though....it would seem 2013 would be his MAX out date. Are they also giving this date on the status line as his projected release date? If he's working, and being good, he will earn good/flat/work time. Once this is added together, and he's had no cases, he should qualify for mandatory release.

Am I missing something?

kath

no you aren't missing anyting.....thanks alot once again!!
So letters to the board won't help? When he comes up for review in 2005.

There's nothing at all I can do to try to help him make his date?

I recently just wrote and told him his parole was denied. I am awaiting a response. We have no contact other then our letters. I haven't been able to visit for about 2 months because my car got stolen. I will be visting him on the 31st after I purchase my new truck.

I hope he doesn't do anything stupid!!!

You can always send support letters...I'm just saying...if they gave him a 2 year setoff....they won't be reading your letters for a while. I would wait till closer to his review time...get updated letters in his file for him....!

holler if you need me for anything else!

kath

On an aggravated case, the automated system will use the max date for the projected minimum release date. Because the offense occurred after September 01, 1987, it is ineligible for release to mandatory supervision. Prior to that date, everything was eligible except for Life sentences (because there is not a numeric equivalent for life)

Parole eligibility in this case could have been at either the five year or ten year mark, depending on whether the offense was committed before or after September 01, 1993. All that reaching the 1/4 or 1/2 does, however, is get the foot in the door. The numbers from the Criminal Justice Policy Council showed that in FY2002, only 22.2% of violent aggravated offenses were approved for parole, with an average of better than 60% of the sentence having been served at the time of approval. However, that same agency has statistics that show that in 2002, the average release on a violent, aggravated offense had served better than 75% of the sentence. Therefore, on average, a person serving 20-years could reasonably expect to serve at least 12-15 years prior to being released. The percentage of time served has remained relatively constant over the past few years, ranging from 74.7% in FY2000 to 73.2% in FY2001 and rising to 75.3% in FY2002.

Thanks For The Info You Guys!!!
You Have Been Alot Of Help!!!