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Training Programs

  • Starts Mar. 26, 2013
    Orientation for Parole Board Members
  • Starts Jul. 23, 2013
    Orientation for Parole Board Members
  • Starts Sep. 17, 2013
    Parole Board Chairs - A Training Program
    • 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.

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    Recommended Reading

    Date Title Type
    2011
    Document preview
    The Future of Parole as a Key Partner in Assuring Public Safety
    Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    “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 risk, need, and responsivity” (p. viii). Sections of this publication include: introduction; historical context; the cusp of change; parole at the crossroads; resources to support parole’s new role; targets of excellence in paroling authority decisio... Read More
    PDF
    29 pages
    2011
    Document preview
    Special Challenges Facing Parole
    National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    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 (p. xiii). Seven chapters are contained in this publication: sex offenders; offenders who have significant mental health concerns; offenders who have significant substance abuse problems; women offenders; aging or geriatric offenders; youthful/juveni... Read More
    PDF
    64 pages
    2011
    Document preview
    Paroling Authorities’ Strategic Planning and Management for Results
    National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    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, and putting into place appropriate management and performance measurement systems to carry out its objectives and measure its progress” (p. v). Six chapters are contained in this publication: craft your vision and mission statements; assess your organi... Read More
    PDF
    33 pages
    2011
    Document preview
    Evidence-Based Policy, Practice, and Decisionmaking: Implications for Paroling Authorities
    By Carter, Madeline. National Institute of Corrections. Community Corrections Division (Washington, DC). Center for Effective Public Policy (Silver Spring, MD); National Institute of Corrections. Community Corrections Division (Washington, DC).
    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. viii). Five chapters comprise this document: evidence-based policy, practice, and decisionmaking—what it is and why paroling authorities should be interested in it; significant research findings regarding risk reduction—implications for paroling auth... Read More
    PDF
    43 p.
    2010
    Document preview
    Core Competencies: A Resource for Parole Board Chairs, Members, and Executive Staff
    By Stroker, Richard; Burke, Peggy, ed.; Gilligan, Leilah, ed.. National Institute of Corrections. Community Corrections Division (Washington, DC). Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA); National Institute of Corrections. Community Corrections Division (Washington, DC).
    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—parole’s function, purpose, and role in the criminal justice system, parole and other state or local entities, and legal and ethical issues; discharging duties effectively—leadership, strategic planning, emerging best practices and evidence-based practi... Read More
    PDF
    49 p.
    2003
    Document preview
    A Handbook for New Parole Board Members: Part of a Resource Kit for New Parole Board Members
    By Burke, Peggy B., ed.. Association of Paroling Authorities International (APAI) (California, MO); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Center for Effective Public Policy (Silver Spring, MD).
    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 and the Community"; "Parole Decisionmaking"; "The Parole Interview" by Robert J. McGrath; "Legal and Ethical Issues" by Richard P. Stroker; "Victim Issues" by Anne Seymour; "Transition, Violation, and Revocation"; and "Parole as a Profession." A gloss... Read More
    PDF
    101 p.
    2008
    Document preview
    Comprehensive Framework for Paroling Authorities in an Era of Evidence-Based Practice
    By Campbell, Nancy M.. Campbell Consulting (Bainbridge Island, WA); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    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 follow an executive summary: introduction; the impact of history on current reform efforts; the key elements of the parole process—the institutional, reentry, community, and discharge phases; the foundation of system effectiveness—evidence-based practice... Read More
    PDF
    103 p.
    2007
    Document preview
    Topics in Community Corrections, Annual Issue 2007: Promising Strategies in Transition from Prison
    National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). LIS, Inc. (Longmont, CO); National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Aurora, CO).
    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” by Sherry Tate and Catherine C. McVey; “Collaboration and Partnership in the Community: Advancing the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative” by Le’Ann Duran; “Providing Tools for Risk Reduction Case Management in Parole and Community Corrections” by... Read More
    PDF
    74 p.

    Related Resources

    Date Title Type
    2001
    Document preview
    Use of Risk Assessments for Parole Release Consideration
    National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Longmont, CO); LIS, Inc. (Longmont, CO).
    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
    PDF
    1 p.
    1994
    Document preview
    Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Population Projections
    By McVey, Aaron David; Jones, Michael. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). National Council on Crime and Delinquency (San Francisco, CA).
    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 caseload subgroups based on gender, felony class and parole legislation type. This report contains: a summary of parole legislation; a summary of admission, release and caseload trends; a summary of the forecast method; and projected parole caselo... Read More
    PDF
    53 p.
    1988
    Document preview
    Current Issues in Parole Decision-making: Understanding the Past; Shaping the Future
    By Burke, Peggy B.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). COSMOS Corp. (Washington, DC); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    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 opposition that they can manage their responsibilities effectively, and that they have a role in the future of criminal justice. Includes bibliographies.... Read More
    PDF
    59 p.
    1983
    Document preview
    Success on Parole: The Influence of Self-Reported Attitudes, Experiences and Background Characteristics on the Parole Behaviors of Youthful Offenders, Final Report
    By Wiederanders, Mark R.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). California Dept. of the Youth Authority (Sacramento, CA).
    ... Read More
    PDF
    89 p.
    1983
    Document preview
    Success on Parole: The Influence of Self-Reported Attitudes, Experiences and Background Characteristics on the Parole Behaviors of Youthful Offenders, Staff Summary
    By Wiederanders, Mark R.. National Institute of Corrections NWashington, DC). California Dept. of the Youth Authority (Sacramento, CA).
    ... Read More
    PDF
    23 p.
    1988
    Document preview
    Civil Liabilities of Parole Personnel for Release, Non-Release, Supervision, and Revocation
    By del Carmen, Rolando V.; Louis, Paul T.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice Center (Huntsville, TX); National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    This document provides a practitioner-oriented discussion of legal liability issues surrounding parole decisionmaking.... Read More
    PDF
    49 p.
    1987
    Document preview
    Structuring Parole Decision-making: Lessons from Technical Assistance in Nine States
    By Burke, Peggy B.; Adams, Linda M.; Kaufman, Gerald; Ney, Rebecca Jo. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Cosmos Corp. (Washington, DC); Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA).
    ... Read More
    PDF
    50 p.
    1990
    Document preview
    Policy for Parole Release and Revocation: The National Institute of Corrections 1988-1989 Technical Assistance Project
    By Burke, Peggy B.; Adams, Linda; Ney, Becki. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). COSMOS Corp. (Washington, DC); Center for Effective Public Policy (Philadelphia, PA).
    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 presented.... Read More
    PDF
    54 p.
    1993
    Document preview
    Arizona Board of Pardons and Paroles - Evaluation of Structured Decision-making Guidelines
    National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC). Arizona Board of Pardons and Paroles (Phoenix, AZ).
    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 then contains many attachments, including the coding manual and various forms used by the Board.... Read More
    PDF
    53 p.
    1995
    Document preview
    Status Report on Parole, 1995: Results of an NIC Survey
    LIS, Inc. (Longmont, CO); National Institute of Corrections Information Center (Longmont, CO).
    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 state-by-state data collected from each paroling authority. The data describe each paroling authority's recent policy developments, structure, discretion for parole release, parole release decisionmaking, agency discretion, public access, victim role... Read More
    PDF
    188 p.
    1991
    Document preview
    Parole Law: A Practical Guide to Making Parole Decisions and Parole Policy
    By Palacios, Victoria. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    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. This document is NIC's response to the need for information on parole law to be readily available and understandable.... Read More
    PDF
    35 p.
    1984
    Document preview
    Parole Selection and Abolishment and Determinate Sentencing Creation: Role and Influence in the Change Process
    By Palmer, Joseph R.. National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
    This paper is the report of a research project, entitled "Parole in the U.S.: Public Perception and Political Vulnerability."... Read More
    PDF

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    Available Training Opportunities

    • Starts Mar. 26, 2013 - Orientation for Parole Board Members
      This training program helps participants build competencies and skills in performing the tasks that matter most.
    • Starts Jul. 23, 2013 - Orientation for Parole Board Members
      This training program helps participants build competencies and skills in performing the tasks that matter most.
    • Starts Sep. 17, 2013 - Parole Board Chairs - A Training Program
      This 40-hour course will include modules on defining the chair’s role, establishing operational philosophy, promoting optimal performance, navigating the external and political environment, reaching out and responding to stakeholders, managing processes and resources, and measuring for offender and agency success.
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