OUTLINE OF THE SUGGESTED THINGS TO COVER IN THE LETTER
Salutation:

Parole Board Member
Board of Pardons and Paroles
P.O. Box 13401
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711

You may address your letters to a specific person on the Parole Board, if you wish, but it is also acceptable to address your letter Dear Parole Board Member:

FIRST PARAGRAPH
State your name, age, and occupation. If you have been on the same job for a number of years, state the number of years you have been similarly employed.

SECOND PARAGRAPH
State your relationship with him/her (e.g. friend, relative, teacher, employer, co-worker, etc.)

THIRD PARAGRAPH
Your belief that the, despite his/her mistakes, he/she is a good person; the reason you feel this way, your belief that he/she will be a useful and a law abiding citizen given the chance. Describe any improvements in the inmate's attitude, behavior, or efforts he/she has made to improve himself/herself (education, treatment programs).

FOURTH PARAGRAPH
Your willingness to be supportive and how, e.g. if you will provide housing, give address and phone number if you have one, transportation, job offer. Other people who are willing to help, but don't have money or a job to offer, can be supportive and worthwhile by offering advice and encouragement.



Additional suggestions from a lawyer friend to go along with this information....

1. If you or someone you know has written support letters in the past, make copies and include them with the parole packet.

2. Included in this packet should be any information and/or photocopies of awards or achievements your loved one may have achieved while incarcerated.

3. Write out a "game plan." What does your loved one plan to do when he or she gets out? Be specific. Tell the board what job opportunities are in the area.

4. Make a copy of the packet and send it to your loved one. Your loved one should write up a similar type of packet themselves. They can make a separate one, or include it in the one you make for them. He or she should present the packet(s) to the person who comes to interview them when parole time approaches. It makes a much better impression when they have obviously made preparations for their future, as well as having a source from the outside who cared enough to put together a presentation packet as well.

PAROLE SUPPORT LETTERS
The following information, taken from Parole Board guidelines has been published once a year for five years, to benefit family and friends of convicts who write letters to the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Inmates in the Texas prison system are encouraged by the Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide evidence of support for their release on parole. One way to do this is through letters supporting an inmate's release. The information below is provided for inmates and family members who have questions about such letters.

SUPPORT LETTERS FOR THE PAROLE FILE
There are no rules for support letters. These are only guidelines and suggestions. You must use what fits your own special situation. Don't be afraid to ask people to write letters. Many people care and want to help. Your request for help may give them a better understanding of the correctional process.

WHAT IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT?
Letters of support are evidence that the offender will have a network of friends and family to help when he or she is released.

They show:
1. Somebody know the inmate and cares.
2. The inmate has free world input while in prison.
3. Someone will help when he/she gets out.
4. The good side of the inmate and thus help balance the bad side which appears in his or her criminal record.

WHO WRITES SUPPORT LETTERS?
1. You, family members, close friends and loved ones.
2. Relatives, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
3. Respected members of the community, such as businessmen.
4. Prospective employers, school teachers, religious teachers, students, counselors, etc.
5. The inmates TDC supervisors or other people who have known him/her while in prison, e.g. chaplain, counselor, teacher, volunteers from the community.

If you can't find anyone who knows the inmate, you may ask for letters from people who know you and state that your support will be of value during the offender's re-adjustment to the community.

Also, people can write offering their support for the inmate based on their position in the community (such as a minister in your church.)

HOW MANY SUPPORT LETTERS?
At the time of the parole interview, three to ten support letters should be enough. Keep sending support letters regularly, not just at the parole interview date. This shows consistency and active support and lets the Parole Board know that you'll stick by the inmate after release.

WHAT TO SAY?
There are several general areas of information to be included in these letters.

1. State your name, age and occupation. If you have been on the current job for a number of years, state the number of years you have been similarly employed.
2. State your relationship with the inmate and the length you have known him or her.
3. Your belief that, despite his/her mistake, he/she is a good person and the reason you feel this way.
4. Your belief that the offender will be a useful and law abiding citizen if given the opportunity. You may describe improvements in the inmate's attitude, behavior, or efforts he/she has made to improve himself/herself. If you will provide housing, give the address and a phone number if you have one. You can mention other kinds of help you can provide, for instance, clothing or transportation.

Other people who will write a support letters may include the same type of information. If they are willing to help the inmate in some way, they may include that in the letter. Some people are willing to help, but don't have money or a job to offer. They can offer to spend time with the offender doing something positive and worthwhile, or they can offer advice and encouragement. This kind of help is also necessary for someone just released from prison.

NOTE: Under guidelines of a directive from the TDC administration, ii is possible for prison employees to write letters of recommendation for parole. This is most commonly done by supervisors in a department where an inmate works or by ranking officials on the unit who have personal knowledge of the inmate.

Some people are overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a 'packet' and they shouldn't feel like they're letting their loved ones down.
After researching the issue and listening to one board member speak - he said it is neither necessary nor especially helpful to prepare an organized packet - we opted not to do one and just sent letters instead.
This advice is posted by a law firm soliciting business - it doesn't mean it's bad advice, just that the writer has a vested interest in making the process more complicated that it often needs to be. (I've created and updated websites for a couple of law firms, including writing and editing the text, so know how that goes).


It makes a much better impression when they have obviously made preparations for their future, as well as having a source from the outside who cared enough to put together a presentation packet as well.

This is all my boyfriend wants me to do send letters but Im not sure what to write please help me they have to be in by July because then is his review date

jrs52003.........Keep reading here on Parole in the State of Texas. There's a lot of good information here. Take notes, start your letter, save it, if you must ,then add to it.

Below is a blank templet of a letter I wrote, However, I'm not claiming it to be the best of support letters.

Good luck to you,
Momma2

Parole Board Member Date
Board of Pardons and Parole
P.O. Box 13401
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711

Attn: Inmates Name
TDCJ #

Dear Parole Board Member,
My name is . I am 62 years old. My husband and I have been married almost 48 years. We are both presently retired.We reside in Texas, County. We have lived in Texas for well over 30 years. We have lived in our present home for a period of 14 years.

I am the Mother of , TDCJ # .

This is my daughter's first time to be incarcerated. We visit our daughter as often as possible, and corrospond regulary. Since incarceration, I have noticed many new, positive changes in her life. She has accepted full responsibility, and remorse, for her actions, and is at peace with herself. I feel she is doing all she can do to improve her life. Substance abuse programs,and GED, are not yet available to her, however she is attending AA meetings regulary. is enrolled in a Bible Study class, and attends church regulary. has even started a Bible Study class on her own. A number of the inmates come to her for spiritual help, and advice. obeys the rules, and has had no dicipline problems since her incarceration.

As parents, we have a willingness to support our daughter in the event of parole. We can offer her housing, transportation to and from work, clothing, some financial help, and our love, advise, and support. Although we are parents, and naturally love our daughter, I assure you that we take this responsibility very seriously. My husband and I are both Christain people. We attend church regulary. My husband is a Sunday School Teacher, I am a Substute Teacher, at the Baptist Church, located at , Texas. My address is:
Street
City, State, Zip
Phone:

I truly believe that my daughter has changed for the better, and would be a asset to her family and the community.
Sincerely,
Your Name

Well my blank lines dissappeared when I posted, but maybe you can figure out the letter okay.

One major omission that I see is the lack of any discussion about whether s/he poses any threat to the community. Remember that a parole vote is about balancing rehabilitation of the inmate with the safety and security of the community. Community interests will always win out...therefore, it is imperative to persuade the Board that s/he is not a threat to the community.

thank you very much momma2 this really helps me alot

Thank you CynTexLyn. I do appriciate your advise. I'll write another letter soon and correct my mistake this next time.
I did advise my daughter highly that the matter should be included in her letter.

My sweetie went back on a violaton. Does this help him also? After his term he will again be on "paper" . Can't understand why they don't give him his whole sentence as he asked--This is a sure guard to fail and extend his sentence that was originally. Being that this is now his second 24 mo. term and still 15 mo.'s on paper if he "does these 15 mo.'s without any-- I repeat ANY violations the "NICE" judge will end the sentence and drop the rest of the whopping few months left !?! What A joke do they " the system" believe that they the prisoners and we there loved ones are idiots? ignorant? or just plain stupid?

This is good information. Bless you for posting it.

this is really great!

we wanted to add this as a sticky to help everyone find answers faster. i hope this helps and please feel free to contact me if there is any questoins or you need help...

thanxs girlzzz once again you've been a great help!!! good luck to us all

That what i was looking forthank you soooo much......