If you have a loved one who is incarcerated, you might want to consider creating a parole packet on his or her behalf, especially if you know they will be going before the parole board. A parole packet helps the parole board to understand what kind of support – financial, emotional, and spiritual – a prison inmate would have if he or she is to be granted parole.
Most prisons or parole divisions will provide information to an inmate and his or her family about how to create a parole packet, but it can still be confusing and overwhelming. While this article is not intended in any way, shape or form to provide legal advice, the following tips will show you, step by step, how to make a parole packet.
The first thing you will need for your parole packet is a report or presentation cover. Basically, this is a binder with a plastic or chipboard back and a clear plastic front, as well as some means of containing your parole packet, such as prong fasteners for punched holes. These covers can be purchased at most office supply stores, as well as online retailers such as Staples (click here for an example).
The next item you will need for your parole packet is a cover page. The cover page will provide a professional appearance for your parole packet, as well as simple, basic information regarding the inmate. You can easily create a cover page using Microsoft Word. Simply type “cover” into Word’s search box and click go. Download the cover you like best. You can also find some very nice templates here. Once you have downloaded a report cover template, type some basic information into it regarding the inmate for whom you are creating the parole packet. The cover page should list the inmate’s name, his or her identification number, and the words “Parole Packet” along with a date or season and year. Once you have created and printed your cover page, it will be the first page in the report cover.
The next item to create for your parole packet is a cover, or transmittal, letter. A cover letter is a brief letter describing what is being sent as well as the purpose for sending it. It informs the recipient who is responsible for sending the parole packet, and gives you permanent record of when and where you sent the parole packet. Use a “professional letter” template in Microsoft Word, if you have access to it. To see a sample cover letter for your parole packet, click here. When you have created and printed your cover letter, put it behind the cover page in your parole packet report cover.
The next document you will want to create for your parole packet is a table of contents or index. This will list, in order, the documents included in your parole packet. The index or table of contents is very basic. Include the inmate’s name, identification number, prison address and a list of your enclosed documents with page numbers. You will need to wait until your other documents are completed and arranged before you print your table of contents or index, since you might not know which page of the parole packet each document will be until you are finished. Basically, here is what the index or table of contents will look like (again, this is only an example):
John Q. Smith
TDCJ#01234567
13055 FM 3522
Abilene, Texas 79601
INDEX:
PAROLE POINTS – PAGE 2
OUTLINE – PAGE 3
LETTER TO THE PAROLE BOARD – PAGE 4
SUPPORT LETTERS – PAGES 5-7
PHOTO ALBUM – PAGE 8
The next two documents to include in your parole packet might be the Parole Guidelines Self-Assessment and the inmate’s current time sheet. If these documents are applicable they will be provided to the inmate, who should send them on to you to help in making the parole packet.
The next document in your parole packet should be a copy of the inmate’s self-support letter to the parole board. You can find an example by clicking here. Next, include copies of all other support letters written to the parole board on the inmate’s behalf. An example is found by clicking here.
It is helpful to include a page or two of photos. These should be tasteful photos, showing the inmate’s family and friends, the home where he or she will live upon being granted parole, as well as pictures of the inmate in street clothes. This will help the parole board to view your loved one as a “real person” and not simply a prisoner. You can create a nice looking photo page using Microsoft Publisher or a photo software program.
Some other documents you might wish to include in the parole packet include: a letter from a potential employer; the inmate’s résumé; and awards and accomplishments received by the inmate (prior to and/or during his or her incarceration).
With your help and support, your inmate will be able to go before a parole board that has much more detailed information about who he or she really is.
