Has anyone here had the experience of dealing with a dishonest parole officer? My fiance paroled to Orange County, CA. on July 25th. Her PO had her arrested on the 29th for absconcing. He claims that someone at the house where my fiance' was supposed to be living told him that she did not live there. That person would have never said such a thing. We have plenty of documentation showing that she did live there and the parole officer refused to see it. He refused to listen to the people managing the household. My fiance' is still in prison and is finally scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 7th. I am fearful that the BPT will not give her a fair hearing, since she was not given a fair chance at parole. I would appreciate any advice from those that have experienced a similar situation or just your thoughts. I believe my Fiance's parole officer has a personal problem with her and wanted to show her how much power he has. Otherwise, I would hate to think that her PO was that incompetent.

that sounds liek a mess. i have no idea and ever dealt with a dishonest parole offiecer, how ever, i have heard of them. my heart goes out to you, i would think that if you guys have proff that should clear it up,, make copies of the stuff you have so that they cant come back and say something stupid such as i lost them, or some bull like that, that has happened. good luck,

lulu

Some POs like to feel the " POWER ". It is as if they are better than anyone else on the face of the Earth.....while they are working. I have heard of some pretty awful ones. I know from experience that it is always the POs word against that of the convicted person. Just get all of your proof together, make at least three copies of EVERYTHING, and when you go to court as hard as it may be.... you need to make sure everyone stays calm. Dont let them get to you. If you lose your cool in front of the judge or the review board, it doesn't look good. Make sure it looks as if you don't think the PO was corrupt. Instead, talk like it may have been just a big mistunderstanding. That way the court will not feel as if they are going against one of their own. They will take it as simply a misunderstanding, and more than likely will correct it. Just hang in there. You'll get through it. GOOD LUCK!!!

This type of situation is very frustrating i am sure. Reminds me of the movie "An Innocent Man" with Tom Selleck. I was po'd that entire movie!! However, the ending was good--am sure yours will be too-hang in there!

I do have experience with dishonest PO's. In my experience it seems to be the norm rather than a random occurance.

My first experience with this occured months before my husband was due to be released on parole. I decided to be proactive and try to get him a job before he went up for parole. He is a professional tattoo artist so I began visiting studios in the area. (Due to travel concerns, we had relocated to the city the prison was located in.) During a conversation with one of the artists I had visited, he mentioned that he had at one time hired an artist on parole and the PO said that tattooing on parole was forbidden.

I wanted to make sure it would be OK for him to work in the business so I called the parole board and spoke with the board supervisor. He assured me that there would be no problem with my husband obtaining employment in the tattoo profession.

On the day my husband was released, I asked his PO if he would be allowed to be employed as a tattoo artist. His answer was "Sure, it's a job right."

About a week later, we returned to the PO's office to report that my man had found a job with a local tattoo studio. My how quickly the tune changed. We pushed the issue up the chain of command all the way to the Governor. We were told that traditionally, parolees were not allowed to work in bars, porn shops, and tattoo shops. In addition, we were informed for the first time that there was a rule about parolees not being allowed to get any new tattoos. Funny thing they hadn't mentioned that before.

My second experience with dishonest PO's came two weeks ago at my husband's parole revokation hearing. His parole officer (not the same one that had lied before the first one was in the national guard and had been sent to Afghanistan or somewhere after 9-11.) lied several times about dates of employment and so forth. Fortunately for us, we had an attorney present and the attorney made the PO look like a fool.

I think you are probably right about the personal issues thing. Since the city we were living in is where the maximum security, supermax(administrative segregation and death row) and one of the minimum security facilities are located, it is very common for PO's to be ex CO's.

Both of the PO's my husband had were previously CO's. The last one had been a case manager in the prison and a counselor. My husband was the first parolee she was assigned after becoming a PO. She had issues with him from his time spent on the inside.

Another thing people don't seem to realize is the fact that the system in many states doesn't want parole to work. Recidivism looks good on paper when you are trying to get more tax money for crime prevention. Not to mention the money saved by having inmates on work release do jobs like hiway repair, school construction and so on.

I wish you the best of luck!!!!

Yes, I have heard of dishonest PO's. They souldn't be doing that kind of work.

It doesn't really matter now. She lost her hearing and has been sentenced to 5 five months for the violation. Evidence means nothing when you are dealing with the "Good Ole Boy Network". Thanks everyone for responding to my post.

I disagree with the statement that ex-COs should not be parole officers because the System needs people that understand criminal minds and can cope with small misbehaviors. A person living civilian life has no idea what the criminal is thinking when he/she leaves all of a sudden because their mother is dying in another state. An ex-CO has experienced all the various problems that the incarcerated have lived. Your situation with the PO is an isolated issue and has nothing to do with the character of a college trained state employee.
You should have developed a written plan for the tatoo artist which was approved by the Parole Board previous to release. You ever heard the statement, " If not in writing , it did not happen." Written permission as a tatoo artist is alot better proof than word of mouth.

The situation concerning proof of residence can be resolved at the hearing by showing residence. Acquire utility bills, neighbor's statements of seeing the person coming in and out of the residence, and fellow employees visiting the residence or dropping the parolee off from work. The landlord can verify rather the person is residing in the premises. Lastly, you are entitled to a copy of the written statement saying that the person in the house was not living in the premises. Discredit the statement with your proof.

Most times, COs are promoted to the Parole Officer status after becoming college trained with a promotion. Do not beat-up the POs for one incident. A track of employment can be proven by Soc. Sec. records which are produced when the parolee contributes through an employer. The Parole Board does not like parolees "job hopping" nor do they like unexplained employment such as "I worked for my uncle in construction, but he used me as contract labor without cutting taxes."

Clearing a misconception: A person on parole is still in prison, but given the priviledge of going home for the remainder of their sentence for the good showing and good behavior presented while incarcerated. Accountability is most important while on parole for the convicted has proven that they need supervision by being convicted of a crime. Release from prison is the first step for continuing the proof that they are able and ready for becoming productive citizens again. Simply, call the parole officer on a regular basis or when required, file the reports as instructed, be at home when required, and stop fighting the authority. Parole life is much better than being incarcerated, requires less responsibility, and should be appreciated. Several incarcerated never get the chance of being on parole and would trade places with parolees anyday. Give the Parole Board a chance and remember that they have hundreds of people on parole. Keeping track of an individual's behavior and home life is the parollee's responsibility. Parole Boards are always under public scrutiny of rather they let the right one out of prison. Do not kick the Parole Board until you have been a parole officer and know the pressures involved in being a liason between a parolee/ convicted felon and the John Q. Public, whom scrutinizes all Parole Board activities. The public is waiting on the chance of saying, " I knew you shouldn't have let him/her out of prison for they were not ready." Help the PB create a good image by continuing what you did inside for earning parole where other potential parolees can have an opportunity of living at home. Thank you in advance for seeing my point also. 38 Special.

DEAREST SANDOLLAR,

I CAN REALLY RELATE TO HOW YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW. FOR MANY MANY YEARS I HAVE CARRIED THE SAME BITTERNESS ABOUT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, PAROLE BOARD AND THE DOC. IT ALMOST CAME TO A TIME THAT IT TOOK MY LIFE. RECENTLY, JUST RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TO TERMS WITH IT. I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE VERY DISHONEST PAROLE OFFICERS. USUALLY, IT IS NOT THE DISHONESTY AS MUCH AS IT IS, THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO DO WHAT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH A PAROLEE AND THEY DO NOT COMMUNICATE PROPERLY WITH THE PAROLEE. I HAVE SEEN THAT IN ACTION. BUT, THERE REALLY ARE SOME GOOD ONES TOO. THEY REALLY DO WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE INMATE. THEY REALLY TRY TO INSURE THAT INMATES HAS A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE AND HEART IN ORDER TO GO BACK INTO SOCIETY. THE SAME TYPE OF THINGS HAPPEN IN THE DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN DEALING WITH CHILDREN... THERE IS JUST SO MUCH OF IT THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TIME TO HELP AS THEY SHOULD. OUR STATE HAS CUT THE BUDGET BACK SO FAR THAT THERE ARE NO FUNDS FOR NEW PAROLE OFFICERS.

N.C. DOES NOT HAVE BUT ONE PERSON ON THE PAROLE BOARD. 5 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE 7 OF THEM.... SO, THE INMATES FUTURE IS HANDLED BY ONE PERSON. THEY DO REVIEW THE CASE WITH ANOTHER PAROLE OFFICER AND THE FAMILY CAN GO AND SIT DOWN WITH THEM, BUT, SO CAN THE VICTIMS.

I DO FEEL THAT THEY TRY TO MAKE A FAIR DECISION. BUT, SOME OF THE INFORMATION THEY GET IS NOT TRUE. IF THEY HAD ALL INFO AND COULD MAKE A REAL DECISION IT WOULD BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOUR STATE WORKS, BUT HERE THE INMATE NEVER SITS DOWN WITH THE PAROLE BOARD AND NEVER GETS A CHANCE TO PRESENT HIS OWN CASE.

SANDDOLLAR, I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THINGS WORK OUT FOR YOU. BUT, AT SOME POINT TOO, OUR LOVED ONES MUST REALIZE THAT THEY ARE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THESE DECISION. I DEFINATELY KNOW MY SON IS.

MY PRAYERS
DONNA

PS EVEN THO SOMETIMES WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT, 38 IS RIGHT IN WHAT HE IS TRYING TO TELL YOU.

In response to 38special's comments regarding proof of residence. There was plenty of evidence regarding residency presented at my girlfriends hearing. Of course she couldn't show utility bills in her name as she is living under her sister's roof. Additionally, she had only been on parole three days by the time her parole officer issued the warrant. Witnesses presented documentation for a car and insurance that I had bought her registered to her address. Receipts for such items as a bed with her name on the order including the delivery address were presented at the hearing. The owner of the house testified that my girlfriend lived at the residence in question. What other documentation could have possibly been presented on her behalf. Any help would truly be appreciated. thanks again for your response.

How can a parole officer be contacted on a daily basis if he/she has not provided the parolee with a number in which they can be contacted on weekends?

Mr. Sanddollar,
The PO should have given her a phone number that covers all needs. They sometimes give their office number with the belief that all things can wait until Mon.. I am truly sorry about your girl and hope she is doing fine. I believe, she will get released again for she really did a small infraction in their eyes. The DOC must start a parolee off with a firm hand for some act differently when given leniency. Stay strong and start preparing her a home with her name on all documents. Help build her a file for proof should the issue arise again. Take care. 38 Special.

I have a dear friend who is a PO and he is tough, but he really cares about the people on his caseload. Currently he oversees about 110 people and works all of the time.

The people he requires to check in daily (usually just at first) call the office and leave him voice mail. That covers it, as far as he is concerned.

He was a CO and I have no doubt a good one. If you ask anybody on his caseload, most will tell you he will bend over backwards to help - until he thinks he's been lied to or screwed over.

But this is what he's told me - when a person on his caseload causes him zero problems he does not think about them. He said he does not sit around and try to figure out ways to violate or revoke people. He'd rather be spending time with his family, working on his motorcycle or fishing. However, if his people keep winding up in trouble that is a bad reflection on him. It looks as though he is not doing his job.

Just hang in there and we are here for you.

My girlfriend has been sentenced to five months for an infraction never committed. I realize that there are good POs out there, but she didn't get one. I understand being tough, but that is different than being a liar. The way the BPT handled her hearing, I doubt that all the documentation in the world would have done her any good. There was plenty on hand, but it was ignored.

Thank you 38special for your comments. I agree with your description of how the parole system SHOULD work. Unfortunately, it didn't in our case. If the system operated as it should this never would have happened.

I will be seeking legal advice this next week as I cannot sit back and let the lies live. I am doubtful that anything can be done, but I refuse to just sit here and take it. Neither of us have fought authority in this case, but worked withing its rules.

I wish it always worked the way 38special described. I am sure in most cases it does.