While prisoners do not appear at their parole hearings in Alabama, individuals such as family members, community leaders, and advocates may speak before the Parole Board on a prisoner’s behalf and encourage her release. To this end, the Alabama Women's Resource Network (AWRN) launched a team of 10 reentry and parole advocates comprised of community-active citizens across Alabama , effective in September 2009.
AWRN's Parole Team Advocates provide two services: (1) they help incarcerated women develop reentry plans in conjunction with service providers within the woman’s community, and (2) they appear at parole hearings to advocate for the client’s release based on available community resources, personal growth while in prison, and the personal testimonies of those who have offered to serve as the client's mentors and providers.
The Parole Team Advocates team requests that women contact them at least 60 days prior to their parole date to allow for enough time to develop reentry plans. Families and friends of incarcerated women may also contact the Parole Team Advocates for details on what to expect at a parole hearing and ways to prepare.
Started in
2009
Who is helped?
The Parole Team serves currently incarcerated women at least two months out from their parole date needing reentry planning assistance and parole advocacy. Advocates also are available to answer any questions from friends and family members regarding the parole hearing.
Capacity:
The Parole Team's 10 advocates can each serve one woman at a time. The duration of cases vary based on case difficulty and parole hearing scheduling conducted by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
More Information
Last modified: 8/5/2009 1:52:15 PM