We get a lot of questions and hopefully this page will give you the answers you need concerning parole support letters.

Q: Does the parole panel review the support letters?

A: Support letters submitted by family, friends and inmates are placed in an offender's case file and are available to the parole panel to review during the parole review process.

Q: What kind of information should be included in the support letter?

A: Include any information that shows the parole board that an offender has the support of family and friends upon release.  Include any information about employment, residence, treatment programs, and any information you think might be helpful for the parole board to make their decision.  Make sure you include the offender's name and TDCJ number.

Q: Where do I send the support letter?

A: Send letters to: TDCJ – Parole Division, Attention: Correspondence, P.O. Box 13401, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711.

Q: Will a large number of petitions and letters make more of a difference to the parole panel than just a few?

A: No.  The parole member will not read the letters if there are too many.  Send just a few (3 to 5) clear and concise letters.

For forms, instructions, and tips to help you create an effective parole packet purchase our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, available as an ebook, or as a bundle consisting of an ebook and a printed copy. The printed copy can be mailed to you or can be sent to the person who is incarcerated. By sending a printed copy to them they can assist in the preparation of their parole packet and, in addition, it helps them to pass the time while they are away from home. We also have the printed copy available by itself through Amazon.com at this link.  The advantage to buying through our website rather than  Amazon is that the ebook format allows you to cut and paste the forms directly to the word processor saving you both time and effort.

In addition to the book on preparing the parole packet, we also offer a free e-book available for instant download, Understanding the Texas Parole Process, which explains how the system works in Texas. This book does not provide information on how to prepare the parole packet but it does provide some tips on things the person can do while incarcerated which will help them make parole when the time comes. We offer this book as a service to the families and because most of the material out there is either wrong, outdated, or hard to understand.

Many offenders don't realize it but having a work assignment while incarcerated is not the only way to get good time credit. Another way is to take whatever classes are available through the unit where they are located.

Most of the units try to ensure that offenders who enter without a high school diploma take the classes and pass their GED test before they are released on parole. In fact, many paroles are delayed while the offender finishes the classes.

However, in addition to the GED, some units offer vocational and other classes.

Taking and completing these classes has a dual purpose. Not only does it provide the good time credits to allow an offender to make an early parole the classes also provide certificates and other documentation which can be used in the parole packet to show the offender has used their "time inside" constructively and provides additional materials that can help them stand out from the other parolees being considered for early release.

Of course, this topic and its importance is discussed in greater detail in our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet,  but as we have mentioned before the voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole only have a few minutes to spend on each file and we believe anything that helps a potential parolee to stand out from the others in a positive way can increase the chances of their making parole.

Many units have now been shut down and thus it would not be unexpected if the parole board reduces the number of paroles granted in the near future so it is once again extremely important to do everything possible so that the offender looks like a good candidate for success on parole. 

Also, we wanted to remind our readers that the book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet is available in both digital (PDF) format and as a bundle that includes both digital and printed form. The print copy of the book can be mailed to any address including to a prison unit so the incarcerated individual can assist in preparing their own packet. This not only makes the packet better but also gives them something to do while their liberty is still being restricted.

The books are updated as new information becomes available so you're sure that the copy you buy has the latest information we've released.

The best time to start preparing a Texas parole packet is now. 

Most of you know that a parole packet or a parole presentation package is a collection of documents and pictures sent to the Texas parole board to help them get to know the potential parolee a little better. This is particularly important in Texas since there is not an interview nor does the offender ever meet with an actual member of the parole board who will be voting.

The parole review process for Texas inmates can start as early as six month prior to the offender's parole eligibility date.  The parole eligibility date is not the date the parole board decides whether or not to grant parole, it is the earliest date in which the offender can be released. 

It is therefore important that an inmate's parole packet be submitted to the parole board well before the offender's parole eligibility date. This ensures sufficient time for the parole package to be included in the information sent to the voting members of the Parole Board prior to their vote.

The family of some offenders start on the parole packet before the inmate is transferred from the county facility to a TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) unit.

There are many reasons for starting early. Many times it takes much longer to get the information together than you would think and starting late can force people to submit incomplete packets. 

We discuss the various parts of a Texas parole packet in our book How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet which is available as an instant PDF download which can then be used to prepare the packet or as an instant download with a printed copy. As a bookstore, we can mail the printed copy to an inmate at the unit or directly to you. 

Are you confused on how to create a parole packet for a loved one and don't know where to start?

Why not let us help?

Our book How To Prepare a Texas Parole Packet takes you step-by-step through the process of preparing a parole packet.

For forms, instructions, and tips to help you we hope you will consider our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, available as an ebook, or as a bundle consisting of an ebook and a printed copy. The printed copy can be mailed to you or can be sent to the person who is incarcerated. By sending a printed copy to them they can assist in the preparation of their packet and, in addition, it helps them to pass the time while they are away from home. We also have the printed copy available by itself through Amazon.com at this link. The advantage to buying through this website rather than Amazon is Amazon does not include the ebook edition.  The ebook format allows you to cut and paste the forms directly to the word processor saving you both time and effort.

In addition to the book on preparing the parole packet, we also offer a free e-book available for instant download, Understanding the Texas Parole Process, which explains how the system works in Texas. This book does not provide information on how to prepare the parole packet but it does provide some tips on things the person can do while incarcerated which will help them make parole when the time comes. We offer this book as a service to the families and because most of the material out there is either wrong, outdated, or hard to understand.

For some reason, many people believe they should wait until the inmate is up for review before preparing the parole packet. This is absolutely incorrect!

The Parole Board can receive the inmate's file and vote on parole as much as 60 days prior to the actual eligibility date. If a vote has taken place then the board members do not review the new materials.

This is why it is important to begin work on the Texas parole packet early, as much as six months to a year before the parole eligibility date. If you use the method, forms, and examples set forth in our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, the packet itself will be between 20 and sixty pages long, depending on how much information you want to include from multiple sources.  

Naturally, this amount of information can take a while to put together. You want to be sure the information inthe parole packet is complete and in the parole file before it goes to the voting member. If your parole packet is not completed and turned in with the file, then it is very possible the vote will take place based only on information submitted by the prosecutor, the police, and the prison, none of whom are on the side of the potential parolee.

The best thing you can do is to start on the parole packet as soon as possible. If we update our book, then we make the new updates available to everyone who has made a purchase so there is no need to wait on making the purchase and getting started. A Texas parole packet is a way to increase the chances of your loved one making parole, so it deserves as much time and attention as you can devote to it.

Unfortunately, many potential parolees are denied their first parole and the reasons given are usually just a form, particularly the one known as 2d, which doesn't seem to fit most people despite it being used so often.

Regardless, it is still important for there to be a new parole packet done each time parole is being considered.

There are a number of reasons for this. The first reason is that, obviously, what was in the parole packet didn't work the first time and so it should be corrected and added to if possible. Even if the initial packet was extremely good, the offender has still spent additional time away from their family and friends and there is no reason not to address that in the support letters written.

In addition, if the offender has been continuing their education, taking classes offered through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice while in the Texas prison, outside entities, or even the church, then they will have additional certificates to present.

Finally, no one knows, and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles won't reveal, how much attention is paid to the information contained in the file that was submitted prior to the last parole consideration. Therefore, it makes sense to update the parole packet and resubmit it for the next vote.

The one thing that prisoners have is plenty of time and not enough to do to fill it. In addition, the holiday season is particularly hard since it really drives home the fact they are missing from their loved ones.

Since the TDCJ system severely restricts what can be sent to someone who is incarcerated there is no better gift (other than a deposit into their commissary account) than the printed copy of How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet!

The book goes into detail and provides examples of how to prepare a Texas parole packet for the greatest chances of making parole at the next review. An offender and their loved ones should begin preparing early so there is plenty of time to get the materials together as well as allowing plenty of thought and planning to go into the contents.

Orders that are placed now will go into the mail ASAP and should arrive at the unit in plenty of time for Christmas. In addition to the printed book, the digital copy will also be available for the person on the outside helping to prepare the packet.

Orders for the printed copy of this book can be made at this link.

One of the biggest factors used in calculating whether someone will make parole or not is any gang affiliation they are perceived as having. This "classification" as to gang membership can be placed on an offender by virtue of their record, their crime, or something as simple as tattoos which the experts believe are gang related.

However, the reality is that the traditional prison gangs which plagued Texas prisons in the 1980s and 1990s are on a decline, at least to a degree.
 
During the 80s and 90s prisoners ran Texas prisons and prison gangs often fought for power and control within the ranks of prison population.  Young offenders often joined prison gangs to gain a sense of community, protection, acceptance and oftentimes these members became their "family" vowing lifetime loyalty to the gang.
 
In response to intense criticism, TDC began cleaning up the volatile gang situation and slowly took back control of the facilities.  The proactive practice of TDC housing gang members in administrative segregation proved effective as a long term deterrent for gang violence.  Separating gang members from low-risk offenders is believed to have curtailed gang prison recruitment violence throughout TDCJ facilities.  Less violence means less motivation to join a gang. 
 
However, state prisons and county jails still offer recruitment opportunities while serving time behind bars.  Offenders identified as gang members or affiliated with a known gang have a more difficult time receiving early parole.
 
One solution to breaking the link with gangs is through a process offered by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and which provides at-risk offenders who are members of recognized gangs a path to achieve early parole.  It is called GRAD (Gang Renouncement and Disassociation).  Those offenders willing to renounce their gang affiliation will be required to participate in the process and all activities until successful completion of the program.  This process usually take nine months to complete.  There is currently a two-year wait time to enroll in the program.  Any gang activity by the offender during the wait period or the program will result in the immediate withdrawal from GRAD. 
 
There are three phases to the program.
Phase I (2 months):
Substance abuse classes
Alcoholics Anonymous
Chaplaincy Videos
 
Phase II (4 months):
Cognitive intervention
Anger Management/substance abuse
Criminal addictive behavior
 
Phase III ( 3 months):
1/2 day work schedule
Laundry
Fields
Food service
1/2 day unit programs
 
Upon successful completion of the program the offender will be released into general population and assigned to a new unit recommended by the State Classification Committee. 
 
All graduates of the GRAD program have an incentive to make early parole due to the possibility that other gang members will target them for retaliation.
 
Texas Parole Now would like to help graduates of the GRAD program along with those currently enrolled in the program to make early parole.  Our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, contains all the forms and examples needed to create a parole package.   A Texas parole package is a way to increase the chances of making parole, so it deserves as much time and attention as you can devote to it.

There seems to be a lot of people starting up services to prepare parole packets and it's obvious this is an issue that needs to be addressed.

As we here at TexasParoleNow.com have said from the beginning, if you can afford to hire a Texas parole lawyer to assist your friend or loved one in applying for parole then that is a great step to take. Most Texas parole attorneys have the forms in place and a staff who has prepared many of these packets before so the work on your part is minimal and the product is almost certainly going to be quality. The only warning we would give on this is that if the attorney makes a big deal out of being able to do a personal interview with the voting members of the parole board you may want to be careful since there are no statistics available to show that this makes a difference nor any to show what percentage of requests for a personal interview are granted. If any attorneys are reading this, and we know some do, and have numbers they want to present which show it makes a difference then we would be glad to analyze that data and present it to our readers.

However, there are many other people who have just decided to start up services to prepare parole packets with no legal background. At least some of these have purchased and are using our book as their guideline to preparing these packets.

At this point we cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone other than a licensed Texas attorney be hired to prepare a parole packet since the services by those who are not licensed do not have any indications that they actually understand the process any better than anyone who purchases our book and follows the steps outlined in there. Further, there is some question as to whether it is even legal for an entity other than a Texas lawyer to charge for preparing the packet to be submitted to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

In addition, many of these services are charging hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to prepare the packets and, again, all they are doing is using the same procedures and theories set forth in our book which is priced at a level where almost everyone can afford it.

With our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet. and just a little bit of time on the part of the person preparing the packet it is quite likely the end result will be even better than the paperwork prepared by these services and at a fraction of the cost!

We know that getting a loved one to make parole is important for a number of reasons including the fact that having them out of prison and working at gainful employment will help with the financial situation. At a time when money is tight it is important to make sure you spend wisely.

Again, hiring a Texas Parole lawyer is usually a good investment but if you can't afford to do that then you should seriously consider avoiding the services who prepare Texas parole packets without a lawyer and, instead, invest your time and the reasonable price of our book and do the parole packet yourself. Also, if you order the "bundle" which includes both the instantly downloadable e-book as well as a printed copy we have an option which allows you to enter a "ship to address" as you're checking out and we can ship the book to the person who is incarcerated. As a publisher the Texas Department of Criminal Justice allows us to ship books into a prison. This option will allow the potential parolee to assist in preparing their packet and not only make the end product better but also give them something to do while they are locked up.

We've been told repeatedly that one of the hardest parts about being locked up is the boredom and that often boredom leads an inmate to make mistakes that lengthen their stay.

The book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet is available in an instantly downloadable e-book format or in the bundle including both the e-book and a printed copy.

We just wanted to give you a quick warning. Over the last few months we've noticed a number of websites offering "free" downloads of Texas Parole Packets, forms, and letters. We're not going to put the websites here because that increases their Google score but we have reason to suspect that using some of these websites will instead cause you to download viruses, worms, copyrights/protected information, and other malware.

Most of these websites are pretty shady looking, may have foreign languages on them, have nonsense domain names, and often have a lot of misspellings.

Only download information from trusted sources!

Our websites, TexasParoleNow.com, ParoleNow.com, and RebellionBooks.com have all been in business for years. We are the only ones who load things onto our websites and we carefully check to make sure any files we offer are clean.

This is one of those really tough questions that an offender who is factually innocent must face in both his interview with the person from the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole and the letter he sends to the Parole Board along with the parole packet.

Without question, at any one time there are a number of people incarcerated who did not commit the crime for which they were sentenced. However, if they are incarcerated then they were either found guilty by a judge or jury after a trial or, more likely, they accepted a plea bargain to avoid the chance of a longer sentence.

The criminal "justice" system, however, operates under the fiction that everyone who is incarcerated actually committed the crime and therefore one thing the voting members are thought to consider, and something directly acknowledged in the Federal points system, is whether the offender "accepts responsibility" for their actions.

This question is a little easier in the Texas parole system since the offender seeking parole never actually meets with the voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole who will vote on the application.

Since there will be no face to face meeting or direction questions, a simple tact for the innocent person applying for parole is to acknowledge the facts of the case without admitting the guilt. For instance, rather than writing:

"I know what I did was wrong and accept the consequences for my actions."

Instead the offender can say:

"I acknowledge that I was found guilty by a jury of my peers and have done my best to accept the consequences of that verdict and done my time in prison while trying to better myself as a person and prepare for when I am released."

If the person pled guilty rather than being found guilty by a jury they can substitute the words "pled guilty" for "was found guilty by a jury of my peers".

This allows the innocent person to reconcile their conscience and the reality that they didn't commit the crime and yet still appear to accept the false reality under which the system works.

As we discuss in our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, perception is the key to making parole.

The title to this article may be just a little misleading because every part of a parole packet, especially when done using the system we describe in our book How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, is important. That's due to the fact that the system is set up to cover all areas and appeal to whatever the specific voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole think are important.

However, there is one part of the packet that we see people messing up on very, very often and that is they either leave photos out entirely or use photos which don't cast the potential parolee in the best light.

The person preparing the packet has to be aware the statistics show each voting member only has a few minutes to review the incarcerated individual's file. You can be assured that the first few pages of the file will prominently feature at least the "mug shot" taken of the person when they are processed through the intake center of the Texas prison system. Those pictures are taken in harsh lighting, the person has just had all of their hair cut off, and it's likely they have had very little sleep and so the pictures are horrible.

It's important to counter these photographs with pictures of the person in a more relaxed environment, hopefully one in which they are happy and with family and friends. 

It's also critical the photograph not show the applicant drinking alcohol or with any drug paraphernalia on their person or in the picture. Your goal is to show them in the best possible light, not in a way which would indicate they have bad habits that may cause them to break the many rules of parole.

As an example, I've seen people submit photos where the person is smiling and looks happy, but they are wearing a shirt with a marijuana plant growing out of a beer can and with beer bottles covering the table near them.

It's not the message you want to send.

Almost every one can find a picture of a loved one somewhere. You may have to call friends and family to get it but in this day and age you can also look on social media accounts, computers, cell phones, etc. to find a few pictures which depict the person in the best light possible.

A parole packet is extremely important and if it is important enough to do, it is important enough to do correctly.

If you're not sure what a parole packet should consist of then you may want to seriously consider our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, available as an ebook or as a package including both the ebook and a printed copy that can be sent into the prison to the person who is seeking parole.

The time it takes to prepare a parole package depends largely on how long it takes to gather all the letters, pictures, certificates, and other documents. Most people can complete a parole package within two months if there are no problems, but because you never know when problems may pop up you want to start working on the package much earlier.

A Texas parole package generally consists of support letters, pictures, certifications, educational certificates, risk assessments, a parole plan and other documents. Preparing these documents can take time to ensure they are accurate and reflect the inmate in a good light.

Keep in mind an inmate's parole eligibility date is not the date the parole board will decide where or not to grant parole, it means the inmate can be released at any time after that date.  The Parole Board will make the decision BEFORE the eligibility date and sometimes well before.  Therefore, it is extremely important to submit a completed Texas parole package with plenty of time before the parole eligibility date.

Putting together a parole package is much harder than many of the forums on the internet make it appear.  Most people just throw a lot of stuff at the parole board, however, that ignores the way the parole system actually works in Texas.   A certain level of commitment is required from the involved parties to ensure all issues are addressed as soon as possible.  

Our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package provides easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on creating a personalized parole package.    The book discusses the various parts of a parole package, provides templates, forms and assistance for completing your personal plan and is designed with a specific goal in mind.  How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package is available as a downloadable PDF or in printed form which can be mailed to a prisoner at his or her unit or directly to you.  

Windham School District (WSD) provides a GED preparation program for inmates seeking to obtain their GED while incarcerated and is available for any qualified inmate in a Texas county or state jail or prison at no charge.

When inmates enter TDCJ they are tested to determine their academic level.  Inmates are then placed in educational program based on their Individualized Treatment Plan, which outlines education services for the offender.    Inmates are taught the skills needed to prepare for the GED test.  Classes are typically three hours a day and follow a specific curriculum of academic classes.

Once the classes are complete an inmate may apply to take the exam for a high school equivalency certificate (GED).

A certificate for a GED can then be used in an inmate's parole package as an accomplished goal.  In addition, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is known for requiring that a GED be completed before parole will be granted. 

Achieved goals are looked upon favorably by the voting members of the parole board.   Our book How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package provides step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a parole packet including how to best present the accomplishment of obtaining the GED and other goals attained while incarcerated.  It is available as a printed copy (book) which can be sent to an inmate in the Texas prison system or an instant download. 

The CHANGES Program is a program offered to offenders through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Windham School District which provide life skills to prepare offenders for release.  CHANGES stands for Changing Habits and Achieving New Goals to Empower Success.

Offenders who are expected to be released within two years or have F13R parole requirements are allowed and sometimes required to take the courses.  

The CHANGES program include topics that are important to being successful on the outside.  These include:

• Personal Development –  preparing for change, goal setting, self-discovery, values, attitudes, beliefs, patience with self and others
• Healthy Relationships- reuniting with family, relationship styles, communication and conflict resolution, family patterns, effective parenting
• Living Responsibly- respecting boundaries; civil responsibilities; budget planning; time management; problems and solutions
• Drug Education- basic facts, common drugs and their effects, drug use and the power of associations, what it takes to protect your sobriety, steps in changing habits
• Living Well –  inside-out, mind-body connections, male/female health issues, reproductive health, stress management and nutrition)
• Putting Together a New Start –  anger management, loss and grief, empathy, making amends, stressful interactions
• Going Home- getting and keeping a job, technology 101, success is a choice, goals and resources for success)

The reintegration programs offer life skills essential for living on the outside.  With each completed program the offender will receive a certificate of completion which can be used by the offender as evidence of program participation for parole purposes.

When completing a parole package it is important to include each certificate of completion.  The voting members of the parole board will use this information to determine how well an offender has done while incarcerated, how they have worked to improve themselves, all of which can affect parole eligibility.

Our book How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete a parole package and exactly where to place these certificates for maximum effect.

How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package is available in printed form which can be mailed to a prisoner at his or her unit or directly to you.  

Parole Packets are a means by which the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole receive information about an inmate's rehabilitation, participation in educational classes, and character which are used to determine an offender's parole vote.

A parole package is not necessary for an inmate to make parole.  The voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole do not require anyone to do anything.  However the voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole receive hundreds of files each month for review for parole and mandatory supervision.  A parole packet shows initiative and will help to the offender's file stand out and 'humanize' the inmate.  In addition, the parole packet provides a parole plan for integration in the outside world.

The voting members receive a copy of the prison file as well as the offender file from the local District Attorney and the details on the crime itself. As you can see, without a parole packet, the only information the voting members have to review is the information prepared by people with no vested interest in whether the offender is released from prison or not.

Our book How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package provides easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and assemble an effective parole packet and present it to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole.

At TexasParoleNow.com we like to keep informed of what is going on both in the prison system and the things in the outside world that concern the people who are incarcerated along with their families.

What we have seen is a phenomenal rise in both the number of entities trying to take advantage of people in times of trouble as well as scams.

We’ve repeatedly made it clear that if you can afford to employ the services of a parole attorney then that is the route to take. We’ve also made it clear that only a parole attorney should be charging to prepare parole packets for people. Yet, every week, we see more and more “companies” pop up on the internet offering their services in preparing parole packets. We know some of them are doing nothing more than using our book as guidance on how to prepare the packets because we know they ordered the book from us and many of them were even using our book cover in their advertisements until we told them to cease and desist. Essentially, what they are doing is charging hundreds of dollars and using the same examples and forms that are in our book which is sold in the most expensive “bundle” for $34.95.

In addition, we see a lot of websites advertising examples of support letters and parole packets for free. However, we now know that many of these websites, most of which are based overseas, allow you to download files which are out of date or contain incorrect information and which also contain viruses and other files and malware which can wreck your computer system.

In this business, just as in any other, there are a lot of people trying to take advantage of you. Please use caution and common sense before spending your hard earned money or trying to get “something for nothing”.

There are a lot of good parole lawyers out there who would love to have your business if you want to hire someone to prepare a Texas parole packet for you or a loved one. We think our book is the only one available right now that is comprehensive, up to date, and written by an attorney and a trained professional with an eye toward making the packet both easy to do as well as effective in presenting a case for the voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole.

Be smart!

With frequency, Texas Parole Now gets asked “How does a parole package help someone make parole?”  

When it comes to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole a parole package can provide the voting members background information about the offender. Obtaining the necessary documents to compile a good parole package can takes several months.

A parole package provides information such as inmates background, education, accomplishments, risk assessment, post-parole plans, and continued rehabilitative programs upon release.  The parole packet offers a picture of the potential parolee showing them as a loving family member, a person who has a support system waiting for them upon their release, and as something other than a criminal and a prisoner.

Statistics show inmates who file a good quality and complete parole package have a better chance at discretionary release than inmates who do not.

Texas Parole Now offers a step-by-step in-depth book on how to prepare a comprehensive Texas parole packet.   How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package is filled with easy to understand explanations and forms with each section of the book.  How to Prepare a Texas Parole Package is available in printed form (which can be mailed to an inmate) or as a downloadable PDF.  

Anyone looking at the terminology used by the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole needs to understand that the terms don’t always mean what they appear to mean. We will discuss this more in future posts.

When an inmate is eligible for parole in Texas, the voting members of the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole have many options on how they can vote. Two of the choices, if the voting members vote to deny parole for an offender, are that the offender will be assigned either a a “serve all”, which means the offender will serve at least three additional years, or a “set off” date.

When a case is assigned a set off date it means the offender was denied parole and the case will be assigned a date in the future which the parole board will again reevaluate the case for possible parole. This date is the set-off date.

The set-off date received by the majority of offenders whose parole is denied is set within one year. However, the voting members of the Texas Parole Board can designate the set-off date for up to five years, although a set off of that long is unusual. If an offender receives a five year set off they will not be reviewed for parole for five more years.

This is why it is important to begin work on a Texas parole packet early, so that the first shot at parole is an effective one. Our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, contains a system designed to provide an offenders a better chance of receiving a favorable parole vote. By using the easy to understand methods, forms and examples set forth in our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Packet, the voting members of the Texas Parole Board will have a better understanding of who you are and how you have changed for the better, increasing the odds of being approved for parole.

Writing a Texas parole packet can be overwhelming since it is something we do not do all the time.  However, with a little planning you can create a successful parole package for your loved one.

Last year the Texas Department of Criminal Justice reported that 96,326 inmates were considered for parole and only 28,011 were approved.  That is a denial rate of 70.6%  with some board members denying up to 73.5% of parole requests.  Of the 28,011 approved paroles only 10,409 were allowed to be release when eligible, the others were required to complete either a rehabilitation or sex offender program which can add an additional 18 months to the wait period.

Our book, How To Prepare A Texas Parole Packet can help you create a strong parole package which demonstrates change in the offender and uses techniques that personalize them to the voting members of the parole board.  The book also explains how to emphasize that the inmate has demonstrated a positive change in behavior has occurred which will increase the chances of receiving a favorable vote from the parole members.

How To Prepare A Texas Parole Packet is designed to make your parole packet stand out from the rest, and with as little time as the parole board members have to review files, this can only help the chances