STATE PRISON AND PAROLE PROCESS WALK THROUGH
The purpose of the walk through is to present a list of selectable options and the rights you have based on your choices from the selections provided. A PDF detailing all steps of this walk through is available below.
State_Walkthrough.pdf
parole
The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole (PBPP) is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The PBPP also supervises the offender if released on parole. Parole is a conditional release, which can occur only when the offender reaches their minimum sentence date or anytime after, but before the end of the maximum sentence date.
The PBPP is further charged with the responsibility to supervise cases sentenced to less than two years when directed to do so by the courts. These cases are referred to as special probation/parole cases. An offender is typically granted parole to a home plan (an approved residence of a friend or family member), a Community Corrections Center (CCC) or a residential treatment facility. The offender will remain on parole until the completion of his/her maximum sentence date.
When is an offender eligible for parole? Every state sentenced offender with a minimum sentence will be reviewed for parole at least four months prior to his or her minimum sentence date. If approved, an offender is eligible to be released on parole on or after their minimum sentence date. Those offenders serving a sentence of life or execution are not eligible for parole.
What if an offender is never approved for parole? An inmate may serve their entire sentence in prison. If they were sentenced to a 5-10 year sentence, and they served the entire 10 years, they will be released from prison. This means that no one has jurisdiction over the offender and the offender will not be supervised by anyone unless they have an additional sentence or received special probation by the judge. To learn whether the offender in your case may have special probation, contact the Office of the Victim Advocate at 1-800-563-6399.
More detailed information about parole decision-making and community supervision can be found at the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole web site at
www.pbpp.state.pa.us. There is also a list of Frequently Asked Questions about parole on the Office of the Victim Advocate’s web site at
www.ova.state.pa.us under the "Information and Victim Rights" section.