The New Parole Hearing Process Handbook
The California Board of Parole Hearings (Board) has release its First Parole Hearing Process Handbook available on-line for free. Also included in the Handbook are several forms, including a request for accommodations, Form 1045A (Petition To Advance) and the 1707 form used to register victims with the Office of Victims and Survivors Rights and Services.
The Handbook is 130+ pages. It maybe downloaded and printed for Loved Ones. Of Note is the LSA (Life Support Alliance) project can print the entire handbook and mail it to any incarcerated person for a donation to cover the cost of printing and mailing, about $35.
Telephone: 916-402-3750
Life Support Alliance (LSA)
9845 Horn Rd #160
Sacramento, CA 95827
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The California Board of Parole Hearings (Board) is a part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and is responsible for California’s parole hearing process. The decision to grant parole is a complex one, weighing public safety with an individual's rehabilitation. The Board’s mission is to protect and preserve public safety while ensuring due process to all persons who come under the Board’s jurisdiction. The Board strives to carry out its mission by carefully evaluating each person’s risk and by treating incarcerated persons and their family members, victims, and victims’ family members with dignity and respect.
This new Parole Hearing Process Handbook is designed to empower board members with the most current information and best practices for conducting effective hearings. This handbook is a comprehensive guide to California’s parole hearing process and is intended for anyone who attends a parole hearing or who simply wants to know more about the process. It provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the legalities, assessing risk factors, and evaluating an inmate's readiness for successful reintegration into society.
The New Parole Hearing Process Handbook Table Of Contents is enumerated below. Once you View or download the Handbook the Table Of Contents is hyperlink to each Chapter for ease of reference.
Parole Hearing Process Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 5
SECTION 1: PAROLE ELIGIBILITY AND DATES ............................ 6
1.1 Types of Sentences...................................................................…...…6
1.2 Who is Eligible to Receive a Parole Hearing? ..............................….. …6
1.3 Parole Eligible Dates..................................................................... .....8
SECTION 2: THE PAROLE HEARING PROCESS................................ 11
2.1 Consultations .....................................................................................11
2.2 Scheduling of Hearings..................................................................…. 12
2.3 Notifying Participants of Hearing Dates..........................................…...13
2.4 Deadlines for Notifying the Board of Participation at Hearing……......….14
2.5 Videoconference and In-Person Hearings ..................................….........15
2.6 Americans with Disabilities Act –
Accommodations Before the Hearing ........17
2.7 Post-Conviction Report ............................................................................19
2.8 Incarcerated Person’s Right to Attend and Participate ..........................……19
2.9 Incarcerated Person’s Right to an Attorney ..............................…................19
2.10 Incarcerated Person’s Right to Review Non-Confidential Documents.............20
2.11 Documents Submitted by the Incarcerated Person or Their Attorney..............22
2.12 Documents Submitted by the Prosecutor...............................................…..27
2.13 Statements Submitted Before the Hearing by Victims, Victims’
Family Members, and Victim Representatives..............................…..29
2.14 Written Statements Submitted by the Public........................................…….31
2.15 Comprehensive Risk Assessments............................................…...........….32
2.16 Postponing or Waiving the Hearing
(Before Week of the Hearing)............…..34
2.17 Persons Appearing at the Hearing...........................................….............… 36
2.18 Postponing or Waiving the Hearing (Week of the Hearing)....................…….37
2.19 Stipulating to Unsuitability..........................................................................38
2.20 Americans with Disabilities Act –
Accommodations at the Hearing ................38
2.21 Criteria for Parole Suitability......................................................................39
2.22 General Hearing Procedures......................................................................40
2.23 Hearing Result ........................................................................................42
2.24 Hearing Transcript....................................................................................43
2.25 Americans with Disabilities Act – Grievance Process After the Hearing .......44
2.26 Post-Board Unit Classification Committee...............................................44
2.27 Board’s Review of Hearing Panel’s Decision...........................................44
2.28 Governor’s Review of Hearing Panel’s Decision......................................45
2.29 En Banc Review ................................................................................. 46
2.30 Rescission Hearings...............................................................................47
2.31 Release from CDCR Custody................................................................47
SECTION 3: CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING PAROLE SUITABILITY...50
3.1 Legal Standard ......................................................................................50
3.2 Structured Decision-Making Framework..................................................51
3.3 Issuing a Decision.................................................................................63
3.4 Limitations on Parole Suitability Decision Making...................................63
3.5 Data on Parole Hearing Outcomes and CRAs ........................................64
SECTION 4: ADVANCING PAROLE HEARING DATES.......................66
4.1 General .................................................................................... .......66
4.2 Petitions to Advance....................................................................... ..66
4.3 Administrative Reviews.......................................................................67
4.4 Notification of Victims and Victims’ Family Members........................ ...69
4.5 Review on the Merits ..........................................................................69
SECTION 5: OTHER TYPES OF BOARD PROCEEDINGS...................71
5.1 Parole Reconsideration Hearings..........................................................71
5.2 Medical Parole Hearings......................................................................72
5.3 Serious Offender Hearings or Extended Term Hearings.........................72
5.4 Nonviolent Offender Parole Review for Determinately
Sentenced Persons........73
SECTION 6: VICTIMS AND THE PAROLE HEARING PROCESS...............75
6.1 Introduction...............................................................................................75
6.2 Definition of Victim, Victim’s Next of Kin, and Victim’s
Immediate Family..................76
6.3 Registering with the Office of Victim and Survivor Rights
and Services.......................76
6.4 Rights of Victims and Victims’ Family Members in the
Parole Hearing Process………77
6.5 Timelines for Requesting to Participate in a Parole Hearing...........................79
6.6 Scope of a Victim’s Impact Statement.........................................................79
6.7 Statements Submitted Before the Hearing by Victims, Victims’
Family Members, and Victim Representatives........................................................................................80
6.8 Written Statements Submitted by the Public..........................................82
6.9 Videoconference and In-Person Hearings..............................................83
6.10 Procedures Following a Parole Decision.............................................84
6.11 Monthly Executive Board Meetings (i.e., En Banc Proceedings)...........86
6.12 Resources for Victims .....................................................................86
6.13 Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................86
SECTION 7: EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS..................................89
7.1 General............................................................................................89
7.2 Public Comment on Cases..................................................................89
7.3 Types of Cases.................................................................................90
SECTION 8: LEGAL AUTHORITY......................................................93
SECTION 9: RESOURCES....................................................................94
