Exam 4 Chapter 15

Question 1

Release mechanisms - discretionary release

Answer 1

Linked to indeterminate sentencing and parole board determines if you leave or not

Question 2

Release mechanisms - mandatory release

Answer 2

Linked to determinate sentencing, required release and there is no parole board, after a set period of time minus good time

Question 3

Release mechanism - expiration release

Answer 3

“Moved out” - with additional community supervision

Question 4

Release mechanism - parole release

Answer 4

Released go probation supervision as required by sentencing judge, often tired to shock incarceration

Question 5

Trends in release mechanisms

Answer 5

Since 1980 discretionary release have steadily declined, 55% of all releases in 1980 to about 22% recently, so fewer parole boards determine release today

Question 6

Criteria for parole release

Answer 6

Prison criminal record, institutional adjustment/progress, insight into caused of past criminal conduct, attitude towards victims and other affected persons, adequacy of parole plan, history of community adjustment, physical, mental, and emotional health

Question 7

Benefits of parole hearings

Answer 7

Give prisoners incentive to program, board can make decisions with less community pressure, board can “protect the public”, board can release early from excessively long sentence, helps to reduce prison population

Question 8

Criticisms of parole hearings

Answer 8

Meetings are in private, guidelines can be influenced by government policy for release decisions, often seen as unjust and arbitrary

Question 9

Conceptual basis of parole - grace or privilege

Answer 9

Offender could be kept in prison - not a right but a privilege