Guide for Victims of Crime - The Parole Process

Parole lets an offender serve the last part of a sentence in the community supervised by a parole officer. Rather than releasing inmates without controls, parole provides for the gradual reintegration of the offender in the community, subject to conditions set by the Parole Board.

The Parole Board is independent of the Department of Corrections. Laws decide eligibility for parole, but the five citizens on the Parole Board decide whom to actually release. The scheduling of a parole hearing does not necessarily lead to the release of an offender.

The Parole Board Considers:

• The seriousness of the offense.

• The offender’s past criminal record.

• Adjustment and treatment while in the institution.

• Plans for the future.

The parole board also considers the victim impact statement and the future safety of the victim and society.

The parole board will often notify victims and survivors of scheduled hearings, if the victim or representative has registered for notification. If you change addresses, send your new address to the appropriate agency. After receiving notification of a hearing, you may write to the board about your feelings, appear in person to testify, or take no action. The parole board holds revocation hearings if the offender does not comply with the conditions.

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