How to get started reporting on issues with parole release in your state

Frustratingly little data exists about discretionary parole systems in the U.S. — a gap that hinders policymakers, incarcerated people, advocates, and journalists attempting to navigate the system, assess its effectiveness, and champion meaningful reforms.

To fill the gap, the Prison Policy Initiative released a new report, Parole in Perspective, designed to pull back the curtain on how discretionary parole works in 35 states (the states that still use it to release people serving a wide range of sentences). Part one of this report explores the makeup of parole boards and how they conduct hearings. Part two dives into the data on parole hearings and grant rates in these states, and the criteria that boards use in determining whether someone will be released.

If you are a journalist reporting on parole, our report can help — whether you’re just looking for an introduction to these systems or trying to investigate them in depth.

Parole in Perspective answers basic questions like:

• Which states still have discretionary parole?
• Who is making parole decisions in your state?
• How many people are granted parole in your state every year? How has this changed over time?
• How much data does your state publish about parole release, compared to other states?

Our report can also serve as a starting point for answering more complicated questions about parole, such as:

• How are parole boards making decisions? Our appendix table breaks down which criteria boards are required to take into account in each state. For instance, some boards are required to consider a person’s age — a relevant factor as prison populations get older and as a growing number of states recognize youth under 25 as less culpable for their actions. Importantly, most boards place a lot of weight on factors that the applicant has no control over, such as the original crime for which they are locked up.
• Are punitive sentencing reforms forcing people to wait longer for parole hearings? While our report does not discuss such reforms directly, we show that in almost every state, parole boards are holding significantly fewer hearings today than they did several years ago — suggesting that various factors, including “Truth in Sentencing”-style reforms, are having an impact.
• How much time is the board likely spending on each individual case? Our report shows how many people have parole hearings in an average year, by state; as well as how many members each state’s parole board has. States vary widely in the size of their parole boards and how many members are required to hold a hearing.
• Is the availability of housing and programs shaping parole grants? For example, our report shows which parole boards take someone’s reentry plan into account, which depends on housing and other services. The availability of in-prison programming also influences grant rates in states that consider someone’s accomplishments behind bars.
• How is the format of parole hearings affecting decisions? As we explain in the report, a growing number of states are transitioning to virtual hearings — and a handful do not allow applicants to be present at their hearing at all.

Questions about discretionary parole can come up on a wide range of stories: It is a key aspect of timely issues such as the aging prison population and the “tough-on-crime” creep among elected officials. We hope this report serves as a useful tool for reporters seeking to shine much-needed light on these systems. And for any questions about parole systems that the report does not answer, we’re here to help. Reporters can reach out to us through our contact page for quick assistance exploring these and other issues.