SJC Exchange Library

Originally posted by Wanda Bertram on 10/07/2025

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Hi everyone,

Earlier this year, we reached out to announce our Principles for Parole Reform, a "North Star" document we developed with the MacArthur Justice Center meant to help set policy priorities for parole reform in the states. This morning, we released a major report that builds on that work by examining how parole boards operate in 35 states.

Parole in Perspective comprises two parts, each honing in on different elements of parole release. The first explores the makeup of boards and how they conduct hearings. The second dives into new data on hearings and grants, and the factors that boards consider - including their discretion - in determining whether someone will be released.

The report contains four essential data tables showing:

• How parole boards in 35 states are composed and how they hold hearings;

• The number of parole hearings and grants in every state from 2019-2024;

• How parole boards compare on the criteria they use to determine release;

• The exact statutory text guiding parole boards' decisionmaking in every state.

As you all know, despite their differences, all discretionary parole systems have serious design flaws that lead to an unfair preparation and hearing process for incarcerated people. By shining a light on boards and their practices, we hope to lay a path toward reforms that restore the promise of parole.

I hope the new report is useful in your work.

Take care,

Wanda

Prison Policy Initiative