Responsible for restoring civil and political rights for released offenders, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles grants paroles, pardons, reprieves, remissions and commutations.
When an offender has served one-third of a prison sentence, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles may opt to release that offender back into society. Not all inmates considered for parole, however, will be granted it. All those granted release remain under state supervision, and if any offender should violate the terms of parole, the board has the authority to enforce re-imprisonment.
Each of the five board members reads an inmate's case file and comes to an independent decision about whether to grant parole or recommend a parole denial. The board's majority opinion determines whether the inmate will be released and, if so, when.
The board always listens to victims and encourages individuals and families to submit Victim Impact Statements and keep in touch with the Office of Victim Services.