NCJ Number
37531
Journal
Oregon Law Review Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: (1976) Pages: 303-347
Date Published
1976
Length
45 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS OF AN EXAMINATION OF THE FACTORS CONSIDERED BY PAROLE BOARD MEMBERS TO BE INFLUENTIAL IN DECISION MAKING AND OF THE RELATIVE WEIGHTS GIVEN TO EACH.
Abstract
BOARD MEMBERS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE THE IMPORTANCE OF 52 NAMED FACTORS IN HELPING THEM DECIDE WHETHER TO GRANT, DENY, OR RESET PAROLE. THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE STRENGTH OF AGREEMENT OR DISAGREEMENT WITH 26 STATEMENTS INDICATING THEIR PENAL PHILOSOPHIES AND TO SUPPLY SHORT ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUNDS AND OCCUPATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM OBSERVATIONS OF PAROLE HEARINGS AND AN EXAMINATION OF A RAMDOM SAMPLE OF CASE FILES. A NUMBER OF RELEASE CHARACTERISTICS EMERGED FROM THIS RESEARCH. FACTORS WHICH CORRELATED WITH EARLIER THAN AVERAGE RELEASE ON PAROLE INCLUDE: CONVICTION OF ROBBERY OR FRAUDULENT CRIMES (AS OPPOSED TO VIOLENT CRIMES), UNEMPLOYMENT AT TIME OF ARREST, PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATIONAL OR VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, YOUTHFULNESS, HIGH IQ, FAIR OR POOR PHYSICAL HEALTH, POOR MENTAL HEALTH, OREGON RESIDENCY, MULTIPLE INFRACTIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL RULES, AND SERIOUS DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF INSTITUTIONAL RULES. FACTORS WHICH CORRELATED WITH LATER THAN AVERAGE RELEASE ON PAROLE INCLUDE; CONVICTION FOR VIOLENT CRIMES OR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES, SUCCESS ON TRANSITIONAL RELEASE, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS, EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE ON RELEASE, PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, PRIOR ARRESTS, PRIOR CONVICTIONS, PRIOR INCARCERATIONS, JUVENILE ARRESTS, POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD, INDICATION OF RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE, MORE EDUCATION, RACIAL MINORITY, MARRIAGE, AND DRUG USE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOARD'S POLICY OF NOT PAROLING INMATES WITH LOST GOOD TIME BE REJECTED, THAT THE BOARD'S GUIDELINES BE AVAILABLE TO PRISONERS AND TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT MOST PRISONERS BE INFORMED, SHORTLY AFTER INCARCERATION, OF THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF THEIR RELEASE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)