The Parole Consideration Process

The parole consideration process begins approximately 6 months prior to a prisoner's parole eligibility or reconsideration date. 

The Parole Board utilizes an evidence-based, Structured Decision-Making Framework (SDMF) developed by Dr. Ralph Serin and endorsed by the National Institute of Corrections to guide its process.  The SDMF focuses on empirically based objective risk factors while balancing public and policy interests with professional judgement.

Parole interviews are conducted with one member of the parole board using a secure video-conferencing network.  A prisoner may invite one representative pf their choice to join them in the facility for the parole interview, provided the representative is over the age of 18, not another prisoner, and not an attorney acting in a legal capacity during the interview. 

 Prisoners who are denied parole are reconsidered yearly if their parole guideline score at the time of consideration is high or average, for up to two years if the score is low. 

Prisoners who are granted parole are referred to the Offender Success Administration, Parole Release Unit, for reentry and release processing.  Upon release to parole the prisoner is assigned a Parole Agent for oversight until discharged.  A minimum of 28 days is required from the date of the Board's release decision until physical release from the facility. 

The action of the parole board in granting a parole is appealable by the prosecutor of the county from which the prisoner was committed or the victim of the crime for which the prisoner was convicted.

See the "policies" section of the MDOC website for additional information.