Making parole after serving a lengthy prison sentence may feel like a significant victory, a culmination of years fighting for your freedom. And you should be proud. However, parole doesn’t equate to unrestricted freedom. It’s not a free pass to do whatever you please.
On parole, you may face harsh restrictions, financial burdens, and increased stress. However, stay resolute. Despite the challenges parole presents, it offers an opportunity to build a better life. This article outlines important aspects of parole, including:
- How Parole Works and What to Expect When Vying for Eligibility
- Conditions and Restrictions Imposed During Parole
- Your Legal Rights as a Parolee and Why You Should Use Them
What Is Parole and How Does It Work?
Many believe parole is simply a monitored release from prison—freedom with guidelines, but still fundamentally free.
This is a major misconception. While the criminal justice system considers parole “conditional freedom,” it can feel like prison beyond bars, depending on your specific circumstances. You might have the ability to find employment, secure housing, and reconnect with family and friends, but you will also face limitations. Even the slightest misstep could lead to a parole violation.
The purpose of parole is to reintegrate former prisoners into society successfully through conditions that encourage positive behavior. Parole allows you to serve the remainder of your prison sentence outside of prison walls, under supervision.
You may have seen or heard about parole hearings in movies or on TV, where an incarcerated person faces a board that decides on their release eligibility. This decision typically revolves around whether the person has been rehabilitated during their imprisonment. Those sentenced to life without parole are typically ineligible.
Eligibility for parole might be determined by a judge during sentencing, specifying that the person becomes eligible after serving a specific number of years. If eligible, the parole board will establish parameters for the parolee’s release, including conditions and restrictions to guide their transition back to life after prison.
Conditions of Parole: Navigating the Tough and Unpredictable with a Level Head
The term “monitored freedom” is misleading because parole guidelines impose significant limits on your life. Violating these guidelines can result in a return to prison.
These restrictions can feel overwhelming and restrictive. Some parolees even express a desire to return to prison for its structure and to escape the parole process altogether. However, it is crucial to remain strong. Despite its challenges, adhering to parole conditions is vital for your future success.
Here are some common requirements that a court might impose during your parole:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Reporting to Parole Officer | The court will determine the frequency of your meetings with your parole officer. Generally, monthly meetings are sufficient for maintaining contact and checking your status. |
| Living Arrangements/Supervision | Your parole officer might recommend placement in a halfway house or drug recovery program. These arrangements facilitate ongoing meetings with your parole officer. |
| Living/Travel Restrictions | You may be restricted from leaving the state or residing within specific city limits. |
| Employment Requirement | A condition of your parole will likely be finding and maintaining employment and providing proof of your employment. |
| Drug and Alcohol Prohibition | While it should be obvious, using illegal drugs while on parole is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, courts frequently ban parolees from accessing and consuming alcohol for the entire duration of their parole. |
| No Contact with Victims | Contacting victims of your crimes (or alleged crimes) is a serious parole violation. If a significant other or family member was the victim of the crime that led to your imprisonment, you will likely be prohibited from contacting them. |
These restrictions can be difficult to manage, especially during long parole periods. You may face additional stressors, such as divorce-related child custody issues that limit your family contact. For example, Maryland doesn’t require incarcerated parents to pay child support, but this obligation resumes 60 days after release. These expenses, coupled with those related to parole or your sentence (restitution, supervision fees, etc.), can quickly accumulate.
The best course of action is to resist the urge to give up. Parole can feel abnormal, frustrating, and even degrading, but sticking to the guidelines will ultimately lead to your freedom. You might even be able to build a better life than the one you had before your sentence. The last thing you want is to jeopardize your access to friends, family, and the opportunities for a normal life.
However, if anything goes wrong while on parole, you still have legal options if the state brings you back to court, potentially facing reincarceration.
Legal Defense Against Parole Violations
If your parole officer (or any law enforcement officer) alleges that you have violated the terms of your parole, you may face a parole revocation hearing to determine whether you should be sent back to prison.
Fortunately, you have the right to legal counsel in these cases, just as you would in a standard criminal trial. Depending on the circumstances of your parole violation, you may face additional criminal charges, making legal representation crucial throughout the process.
Your lawyer can call witnesses, present evidence, cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses, and request postponements. They can scrutinize how your parole officer communicated the terms of your parole and argue that the violation was a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate criminal act. Even if you admit to the violation, your lawyer can work to mitigate its impact on your future.
“The law isn’t justice. It’s a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right buttons and are also lucky, justice may show up in the answer. A mechanism is what it is.” – Raymond Chandler
If you require legal representation for a parole-related hearing in MD, VA, PA, or DC, contact JC Law for a free initial consultation. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys, including James E. Crawford Jr., know how to handle various situations and will vigorously defend your future. Don’t hesitate; contact us today to take the first step in protecting your freedom.
