NCJ Number
81123
Date Published
Unknown
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the activities of the United States Parole Commission from October 1, 1976, to September 30, 1978, with emphasis on the implementation of the Parole Commission and Reorganization Act, a major revision of Federal parole law, which took effect in May 1976.
Abstract
The Commission has parole jurisdiction over all eligible Federal prisoners, wherever confined, and continuing jurisdiction over those who are released on parole or as if on parole (e.g., mandatory release). The new law provides for a nine-member commission, the use of hearing examiner panels to conduct parole interviews and revocation hearings, and the establishment of explicit guidelines for decisionmaking. It also establishes the provision of written reasons for the denial of parole and a two-level appeals system. The explicit guidlines for decisionmaking are intended to establish a national paroling policy, promote a more consistent exercise of discretion, and permit fairer and more equitable decisionmaking. The guidelines indicate the customary range of time to be served before release for various combinations of offense and offender characteristics. Specific written reasons must be provided for decisions outside the specified time ranges. Explicit grounds for appeals have been adopted by the Commission. The Commission has also tested and implemented a new parole procedure called presumptive parole, under which a prisoner is given a presumed release date at the beginning of the sentence. This procedure aims to remove much of the anxiety surrounding the parole process. The presumed release date assumes that the prisoner maintains a good institutional conduct record and has developed adequate release plans. Summaries of research and legal activities related to the Commission's work are provided. Data tables describing the Commission's workload and decision trends and biographies of current and former commissioners are also included.