How to Write a Parole Letter as the Offender 1 Understand what you must say. 2 Search for templates. 3 Open a word processing document. 4 Insert the date. 5 Begin by identifying yourself. 6 ... (more items) See More....
If you are writing a letter on your own behalf, begin with a heading that includes the date, your full name, the official name of the jail where you are serving your sentence, and the number assigned to you by the Department of Corrections.
Offer your version of the crime. If you are the victim of the crime, then you can explain what happened. If you are a family member of the victim, then you can offer your own summary of the crime based on what you heard at trial. Be as graphic as you need to be. You want the parole board to be outraged by the crime. Describe the victim.
Parole boards are looking for offenders to say certain things in their letters: Take responsibility. You can’t plead your innocence or try to minimize your role in the crime. Express remorse. You must express heartfelt sorrow at the pain you have caused the victim and the victim’s family.
The purpose of a parole letter is to inform the parole board why an offender should be given parole and let out of prison. Parole letters are most often written by the offender, as well as by people who know the offender and support his or her release. They may also be written by people who oppose the offender’s release.
One common reason is that the inmate fears getting nervous at the hearing or doesn’t express himself well orally. If this is the case, then you should write a letter.
You should be sufficiently detailed so that the parole board does not think you are shirking responsibility for the crime. For example, you should write “I shot the gun” instead of “the gun went off.”.
The inmate will likely always know when the deadline for letters is. The parole board will let the inmate know beforehand, and the inmate should let anyone writing a letter know the date. Try another answer... Multiple letters from one person are better than letters from numerous people.
Not everyone can deliver a live statement. However, in certain situations, the victim of the crime can often deliver a victim impact statement in person. You should check with the parole board to see who can testify in person, if this is an option that interests you.
Not exactly! While multiple letters from one individual show that person's level of support for the inmate, it isn' t always better than having letters from multiple people. The parole board wants to know that the inmate has a solid support base, so having multiple people write a letter shows widespread support.
Ask the inmate who you should send it to. Some state parole boards have an online system you can use for submitting letters. New York, for example, has one such system. New York’s system, however, severely limits the length of any letter and might be best used by members of the general public.
Describe your physical, emotional and mental state of mind to support your post-release plans. If you are writing a parole letter for a loved one, do not guess about this; ask the inmate how he or she feels about being released. A truthful explanation is what the parole board wants. If you are ambivalent or anxious about being released, admit it, and explain what you will do to overcome the anxiety or fear of being released. Importantly, you must convey that you are rehabilitated, and that your intention is to never return to a life of crime. The parole board will not be impressed by empty promises, therefore, this section must truthfully reflect your feelings. If you think you will need help, tell the parole board where you will seek help for your issues.
If you are the inmate, your subject line should include your name, DOC number, and hearing date. When you are writing for someone else, use the same information in the subject line, but include the inmate's name directly above his DOC number. You are writing a formal letter to appointed parole board members, therefore, ...
When an inmate is up for parole or if you are the one seeking to be paroled from jail, it is useful to write a letter to the parole board offering information that will help board members make an informed decision. Your letter should include details about the sentence and the inmate's plans after parole so the parole review board clearly ...
Inmate Lifestyle Arrangements. One of the first questions the parole board members will have is where you (or, the inmate , if you are writing on another's behalf) are going to live. It is unacceptable to explain that you will just find a place to live after release. You must indicate specifically where and with whom the inmate will live once ...
Make sure the parole board members receive the letter at least two to four weeks before the hearing to ensure plenty of time for them to read and review. This article was written by Legal Beagle staff.
If you are writing a letter on your own behalf, begin with a heading that includes the date, your full name, the official name of the jail where you are serving your sentence, and the number assigned to you by the Department of Corrections . When you write a letter on behalf of a loved one, the heading should include the date, your name, address, phone number and email address. Skip down two lines and insert your subject line. If you are the inmate, your subject line should include your name, DOC number, and hearing date. When you are writing for someone else, use the same information in the subject line, but include the inmate's name directly above his DOC number.
There are typically five members, who will have five different addresses. Ensure that each member receives their own copy of the letter.