Hey Everyone!
I was looking on the list of parole dates and saw that my boyfriends date is 9/15/04. I understand that the date could change from what I have read others saying. I am not sure if I am going to be able to get off of work and get childcare for my 2 month old in order to go and speak, so I was going to send in a letter for him. I have no idea how to start this letter and what kind of things should say. I love him very much and would love to see him get released. Can someone please tell me what to do??????
Thanks,
Amber

That's great that he has a parole date already. You should send in letters and get anyone you can to send in support letters, also. Here is something that I copied from somewhere....on PTO. I printed it out and gave it to everyone I know, along with my son's name and #. I hope it helps!

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: It may be 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.

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

Board of Pardons and Paroles

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.



When writing a letter there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Rather it be judges or the parole commission you need to keep your letters limited to a few paragraphs. They simply dont have time to read long winded letters. It's probably best not to write the letters based on all emotion. You dont want to sound like your begging. You want to letters to be based on facts and to the point, but you do want some emotion behind it. The key to a good letter is how it's worded.

Also..
He needs a HOME PLAN and a JOB PLAN.

They will come visit him about a month before parole date. He needs this started before then.

Good luck!
Kay
:)

Thanks so much for your reply! This is really going to help me out! I am going to start sending this out with a letter to all of his friends. But one more question....Do they need to send me the letters so I can make copies of them and just send them all in at once to make sure they get there? All of his friends live about 3 hours from me (where he is now) and most do not know me, but I am sure they would be willing to write a letter. Also, one more question...do people usually get released their 1st time up for parole. He is in there now for volation of his parole and I know he was talking about doing a substance abuse program while he was in there.
Thanks,
Amber

the main thing that they want to hear is that during incarceration has he improved himself, will he be an asset to soceity or at least try to be,mainly is he a better person now is what they want to hear. does he have any certificates from programs he attended while he has been in there?get your letter in quick cause i think they have their minds made up before the hearing day

IM4U21Der is right....anything showing improvement especially in their attitude...will be a big help!

I had some people give me copies of their support letters and I made a packet to send to my son. He said they really didn't look at it...but he was glad he had it because it showed he had alot of support. Hopefully, your friends will get their letters mailed of soon.

He may not get parole first time around if they want him to complete SAP. But, they could very well reschedule as soon as it is completed. It won't hurt to already have the job plan and home plan in place!

Get busy, girl!

Kay :)

We also typed a paper with a paragraph at the top describing what my husband had done to improve and places down at the bottom for signatures and phones numbers for people to sign that didn't have time or know what to say in a letter. That way the wording was already there and if they agreed they could just sign that. One of the Senior Officers at the Parole Board suggested that to us.
Good Luck!
PJ

Hi! I'm new at this so I will Keep it short. I have read all he suggestions.They are all good.My question is what do you say when the person had already changed his life before he was sentenced.It took almost three years to indict him. In that time he was called to preach and started working with the youth in our church.These are all good things. God see's them. Help me pray that the parole board will.We need a parole hearing date soon.

That is great! You still need to send in those letters. Ask everyone that would be willing to send in letters stating how his life has changed and all the good he is able to do with his preaching and the young people at church. I know God sees these things, just make sure the Parole Board does too!

Good Luck!
Kay

Thank you for all this important information on letters to the Parole board. I now wish I had attended my own daughters hearing, but felt that since a group she would have been released to was reprsenting her at the parole board I was not needed. I feel that maybe my speech or letter may have made the difference to her being released rather than turned down!

Don't Feel Bad....i Think As Long As She Had Someone There...that Was Fine. I Really Think They Make Up Their Mind On Their Own Opinion, Anyway. I Have Knocked Myself Out Over The Years With All The Might Haves, Could Haves And Ifs.....i Think Mama's Just Do That....don't We? My Son Told Me Recently..."mama, That Is The Most Stupid Thing I Have Ever Heard....you Did Nothing Wrong. I Am Where I Am Because Of Me...of My Choices In Life." I Am Glad He Said That, But You Know Part Of Me Still Says ...what Did I Do Wrong? Good Luck To You And Your Daughter! Hopefully, She'll Get It Next Time! Mine Too!

Kay:)