skip to content
Link to United States Department of Justice Home Page
United States Department of Justice Seal of the United States Department of Justice displayed against a background image of the U.S. flag

US Parole Commission

THE MISSION OF THE PAROLE COMMISSION

The mission of the United States Parole Commission is to promote public safety and strive for justice and fairness in the exercise of its authority to release and supervise offenders under its jurisdiction.

JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION

The United States Parole Commission has jurisdiction over the following types of cases -

  1. Federal Offenders (offenses committed before November 1, 1987).

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -

    1. granting or denying parole to federal offenders who committed their offenses before November 1, 1987 and who are not otherwise ineligible for parole; and

    2. making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole or mandatory release supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers.

  2. D.C. Code Offenders (offenses committed before August 5, 2000).

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -

    1. granting or denying parole to D.C. Code offenders who committed their offenses before August 5, 2000 and who are not otherwise ineligible for parole; and

    2. making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from active supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole or mandatory release supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by Supervision Officers of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia and United States Probation Officers.

  3. D.C. Code Offenders (offenses committed after August 4, 2000).

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for D.C. Code offenders who committed their offenses after August 4, 2000 and who are sentenced to a determinate sentence of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release. Supervision in the community is provided by Supervision Officers of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia and United States Probation Officers.

  4. Uniform Code of Military Justice Offenders.

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -

    1. granting or denying parole to parole-eligible Uniform Code of Military Justice offenders who are serving a sentence in a Bureau of Prisons' institution; and

    2. making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers

  5. Transfer-Treaty Cases.

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for conducting hearings and setting release dates for U.S. citizens who are serving prison terms imposed by foreign countries and who, pursuant to treaty, have elected to be transferred to the United States for service of that sentence.

    1. For offenders who committed their offenses after October 30, 1987, the Parole Commission applies the federal sentencing guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission in determining the time to be served in prison before release.

    2. For offenders who committed their offenses before November 1, 1987, the Parole Commission applies the parole guidelines that are used for parole-eligible federal and military offenders.

  6. State Probationers and Parolees in Federal Witness Protection Program.

    The Parole Commission has the responsibility for making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, issuance of a warrant or summons for a violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for certain state probationers and parolees who have been placed in the federal witness protection program. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers.


Contact Us   |   Accessibility   |   A-Z Index   |   Site Map  |   Archive   |   Privacy Policy  |   Legal Policies and Disclaimers
FOIA   |   For DOJ Employees   |   Other Government Resources   |   Office of the Inspector General   |   USA.gov   |   No FEAR Act