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Parole

Parole, both a procedure by which a board administratively releases inmates from prison as well as a provision for post-release supervision, comes from the French word parol, referring to "word," as in giving one's word of honor or promise.

Over time it has come to mean an inmate's promise to conduct him- or herself in a law abiding manner and according to certain rules—in exchange for release. Persons under parole supervision served terms of incarceration and were released to live and work in the community under supervision, with continued adherences to the law monitored (Senate Research Center, 1999).

Since eligibility for release on parole is a matter of state law, there is considerable variation in the location, administration, and organization of paroling authorities in the United States. Parole boards may be autonomous panels with administrative support from a department of corrections or a community corrections agency, or they may be a part of the executive branch of state government. Some have direct responsibility for staff who monitor the supervision of parolees in the community while others do not. Regardless of the location, administration, and organization of these agencies, parole is a significant component of the criminal justice system.

Featured Resources
Parole-related Links
Training Programs

Recommended Reading

Date	Title	Type
2011	The Future of Parole as a Key Partner in Assuring Public Safety “This paper provides suggestions and examples about how these key decisionmaking functions of parole [which offenders participate in which programs, when, and for how long] can be shaped to target resources effectively according to the principles of ... Read More
2011	Special Challenges Facing Parole This guide is designed to “lay out the context, summarize the key issues, highlight the recent research, and provide suggestions about where to find more extensive and detailed resources” about special populations parole boards may have contact with ... Read More
2011	Paroling Authorities’ Strategic Planning and Management for Results Individuals involved in making sure their parole agency’s goals are being met need to read this paper. It provides guidance for a paroling authority in “defining its vision and mission, assembling information and resources to accomplish its goals, an... Read More
2011	Evidence-Based Policy, Practice, and Decisionmaking: Implications for Paroling Authorities New parole board members and parole executives should read this publication. It “examines information emerging from research on evidence-based practice and decisionmaking in parole and the implications of these findings for paroling authorities” (p. ... Read More
2010	Core Competencies: A Resource for Parole Board Chairs, Members, and Executive Staff New parole board members and parole executives should read this publication. It will introduce them to the core competencies they need to have to effectively execute their public responsibilities. Chapters cover: the broad context of parole work—paro... Read More
2003	A Handbook for New Parole Board Members: Part of a Resource Kit for New Parole Board Members Issues related to the profession of parole are discussed. Nine chapters follow an introduction: "Parole in Context"; "An Overview of Corrections and Criminal Justice-Reshaping Parole" by James Austin; "Parole as Part of the Criminal Justice System a... Read More
2008	Comprehensive Framework for Paroling Authorities in an Era of Evidence-Based Practice A “framework that identifies the characteristics and competencies that paroling authorities must have to be effective in implementing evidence-based practices in the context of transition programs and services” is presented (p.8). These sections foll... Read More
2007	Topics in Community Corrections, Annual Issue 2007: Promising Strategies in Transition from Prison Issue contents are: “Foreword” by Kermit Humphries; “An Overview of NIC’s Transition from Prison to the Community Initiative” by Peggy B. Burke; “Rising to the Challenge of Applying Evidence-Based Practices Across the Spectrum of a State Parole Board... Read More

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Related Resources

Date	Title	Type
2001	Use of Risk Assessments for Parole Release Consideration Findings from a survey conducted for the NIC Community Corrections Division are presented in this table. States indicated whether or not they use risk assessment for parole release consideration.... Read More
1994	Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Population Projections This report presents projections for the Colorado parole population through the year 2004 using a planning simulation and projection model developed by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. These parole projections are divided into parole ca... Read More
1988	Current Issues in Parole Decision-making: Understanding the Past; Shaping the Future The move to abolish parole has subsided because of rising prison populations, which have put more pressure on paroling authorities to take a lead in managing the overcrowding problem. This is the paroling authorities' opportunity to show the oppositi... Read More
1983	Success on Parole: The Influence of Self-Reported Attitudes, Experiences and Background Characteristics on the Parole Behaviors of Youthful Offenders, Final Report ... Read More
1983	Success on Parole: The Influence of Self-Reported Attitudes, Experiences and Background Characteristics on the Parole Behaviors of Youthful Offenders, Staff Summary ... Read More
1988	Civil Liabilities of Parole Personnel for Release, Non-Release, Supervision, and Revocation This document provides a practitioner-oriented discussion of legal liability issues surrounding parole decisionmaking.... Read More
1987	Structuring Parole Decision-making: Lessons from Technical Assistance in Nine States ... Read More
1990	Policy for Parole Release and Revocation: The National Institute of Corrections 1988-1989 Technical Assistance Project The purpose of this project is to assist paroling authorities with their decisionmaking responsibilities by focusing upon improving policies and practices. Specific progress made by certain state jurisdictions is summarized, and lessons learned are p... Read More
1993	Arizona Board of Pardons and Paroles - Evaluation of Structured Decision-making Guidelines This packet contains the summary documents and working papers of a parole board that structured their decision-making process based on an empirical instrument. The document begins with a brief overview of the Structured Decision Making Project and th... Read More
1995	Status Report on Parole, 1995: Results of an NIC Survey This report presents the results of a survey of parole policies in fifty-two U.S. jurisdictions: the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government. It describes the survey methods, summarizes the findings, and then presents the ... Read More
1991	Parole Law: A Practical Guide to Making Parole Decisions and Parole Policy This monograph provides information about parole law for parole board members and staff, as well as attorneys who are new to parole. It can serve as a reference when general questions arise, but should not be used to answer specific legal questions. ... Read More
1984	Parole Selection and Abolishment and Determinate Sentencing Creation: Role and Influence in the Change Process This paper is the report of a research project, entitled "Parole in the U.S.: Public Perception and Political Vulnerability."... Read More

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Available Training Opportunities

Starts Mar. 18, 2012 - Orientation for New Probation and Parole Chief Executive Officers
NIC continues to recognize the value of orientation for new probation and parole executives. This course focuses on the knowledge and skills important to a sound beginning in a new career.
Starts Sep. 16, 2012 - Orientation for New Probation and Parole Chief Executive Officers
NIC continues to recognize the value of orientation for new probation and parole executives. This course focuses on the knowledge and skills important to a sound beginning in a new career.
Starts Mar. 27, 2012 - Orientation for Parole Board Members
This training program helps participants build competencies and skills in performing the tasks that matter most.
Starts Jul. 24, 2012 - Orientation for Parole Board Members
This training program helps participants build competencies and skills in performing the tasks that matter most.

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