Can anyone tell me what a parole packet is and what does it consist of?

Parole packets are basically portfolios developed as a "package" to the parole board. There are sample packets running all over the boards here, and they consist of multitudes of things.

Some break the packets down into sections...and examples of tabbed areas can include:

1) Support letters
2) Employment
3) Residence
4) Plan of Action for release

Some people include pictures...of the offender, with family etc. Don't expect these any of these items to be returned.

It helps the board to put the name w/a face (other than those horrible ID shots taken at intake). There are 2 schools of thoughts on packets too. Some will say they help...others will tell you don't waste your time. The board members have so many files to look thru, and it's difficult to get them to spend a great deal of time reviewing pages and pages of info some deem irrelevant. What you ARE trying to do is to get the board members to open the file and see beyond the TDCJ ID and offense. If that means a packet....so be it. I found a personal phone interview did more good than anything packet I might have submitted. I needed to be heard, and they allowed it (they aren't obligated to call you or interview you at all).

kath

The most significant area should be an analysis of the offense conduct (not just a recital of what happened), the risk factors associated with that conduct and what conditions would best ensure that someone does not return to injurious habits (ie. drugs, alcohol or other stupid stuff). Where appropriate, there are a number of statistical components that are either age- or offense-specific. Look also at the voting percentages for certain offenses or certain risk guideline scores. Let's face it, if the numbers suggest that someone voted in Angleton with a guideline score of 4 is getting approved at an actual rate of 20-24% (depending on member), then you need to be able to cleary show why you friend or family member deserves to be that one out of four or five that gets a favorable vote. It is precisely that level of analysis that is lacking in the vast majority of "packets" that the Board looks at.

The point of putting anything on the table is to give the Board something that is not already readily apparent in the file maintained by the Parole Division. Employment and residence are already addressed in the IPO report.

I am from New York, he is in TX. How do I go about doing that? This avenue is fairly new to me. Thanks. Is there someone to hire to help write this up in a precise, detailed manner?

CenTexLyn, what do you mean by "an analysis of the offense conduct"? What caused him to do this? The PB won't think you're making excuses for what he did? I have pm ed you some about my son previously. The problem that caused my son to behave this way has been corrected and that part is easy to write about. Thanks. Also, fell free to pm me.

CenTexLyn, what do you mean by "an analysis of the offense conduct"? What caused him to do this? The PB won't think you're making excuses for what he did? I have pm ed you some about my son previously. The problem that caused my son to behave this way has been corrected and that part is easy to write about. Thanks. Also, fell free to pm me.

By analysis of offense conduct, I mean looking at the entire criminal history and trying to help the Board get in side his head to determine what was going on at the time of each offense. Classic example would be the kid who at age 14 steals a car to impress the crowd he is running with, and who then starts (or escalates) a drug habit while running with that crowd. Because of the drug habit, the kid graduates to other conduct in order to support the habit. It isn't about "making excuses" but rather is about trying to figure out what got the inmate to the current situation and what needs to be done to end the sequence of events and prevent the return to criminal conduct or injurious habits-- done properly, there is a very big difference between analyzing the history (and trying to project going forward) and making excuses.

It is in precisely that area that competent counsel earns their fees because they have a broader exposure to what goes on in the minds of people that commit certain offenses and can contrast that with the specific person being voted by the Board.

Thanks, CenTexLyn. That will help me with the letter I write next time. Competent counsel probably costs a lot and I wouldn't know how competent he/she was. Is there any way for my son to find out what is in his Parole Board file? Need some way to know what the entire criminal history is to make an accurate analysis. This is his first time in prison and the only offense I have any background on. I have a feeling there were other arrests where he might have paid a fine or the charges were dropped. Or, whatever else they do. I've not been acquainted with this side of the world until now to know terms or processes.

Competent counsel probably costs a lot and I wouldn't know how competent he/she was.

There aren't many in the state that specialize in parole, and yes, the ones that did better work in terms of compelling material were in the upper tier of fees.

Is there any way for my son to find out what is in his Parole Board file?

Unfortunately, those files are not subject to the public information guidelines with the exception of the minutes sheets. The IPO reports and victim information will not be released.

Need some way to know what the entire criminal history is to make an accurate analysis. This is his first time in prison and the only offense I have any background on. I have a feeling there were other arrests where he might have paid a fine or the charges were dropped. Or, whatever else they do. I've not been acquainted with this side of the world until now to know terms or processes.

Best thing to do is ask him to let you know and tell him that if he was wanting you to be able to give the most help, that he needs to be as forthright and honest as possible about every single time that he may have been stopped or charged for something other than a basic traffic offense (ie. speeding, running a red light or stop sign). His trial attorney might also have gotten a complete printout of the rap sheet during the pre-trial exchange of information.

Thanks. Will do some asking and digging.

Another question: What does the classification "S-3 AT" mean?

Is there a web site that lists classifications of offenders? I've been searching and haven't found it yet.

I believe the AT means approved trusty, the S-3 is State approved trusty 3. I could be wrong but I think that is right.

Thanks, Milton. I saw the Offender's Handbook online and it says there are two classifications Line and SAT (State Approved Trusty). My son saw his classification on the computer system and it was listed as "S-3 AT". So, since it was listed that way, he wondered if the "AT" meant something different.

I noticed in your profile that you have an adult child in the system. She has served half her sentence and still there. I am sorry. This is sure a heart breaker and daily concern for us as parents.