TEXAS BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES
The Frequently Asked Questions list is designed to give you answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
The following topics fall under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Click on the link below for contact information.
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/publications-home.htm
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/faq/faq-home.htm
Use the Victim Services link below to obtain contact information regarding the following:http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-home.htm
Information concerning the following topics can be found in the Parole in Texas handbook at the link below:
English version:
PIT_English version (08-22-2008)
Spanish version:
PIT_Spanish version (08-22-2008)
A: Support letters are placed in an offender's case file and are available to the parole panel during the parole review process.Q: What kind of information do I include in a support letter and where do I send it?
A: Include information that demonstrates to the parole panel that an offender has a support system in place upon release. Letters may include information regarding employment/potential employment, residence, transportation, available treatment programs (as applicable), or other information the writer feels would be helpful to the parole panel in making their decision. Be sure to include the offender's name and TDCJ number. Send letters to: Review and Release Processing, TDCJ Parole Division, P.O. Box 13401, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711.Q: Will a large number of petitions and letters make more of a difference to the parole panel than just a few?
A: No, a few clear and concise letters stating the nature of support -- financial, vocational, residential, etc. -- are preferable to voluminous petitions and letters. It is not necessary to send a copy of the letter to each parole panel member. Letters are placed in the offender's file to be available to any reviewing parole panel member.Q: Will the Board accept the certificates and course completion information I am sending them for consideration when they review my loved one for parole?
A: The Board will accept copies of certificates and course completion information; however an offender's program completions and certifications are already included in the interview/case summary the institutional parole officer submits to the Board for review.
A: A "parole packet" is a collection of information submitted to the Board by an incarcerated offender or their family in support of the offender's release. The offender does not need to make, nor have made, a "parole packet" to obtain a favorable board vote.
A: The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles does not hold formal hearings for parole or mandatory release consideration. Parole panel members vote case files individually.Q: Will I be notified of the date of a parole review? If so, when?
A: Unless you are registered with Victims Services as a victim of the offender, victim's family member, guardian of a victim, or concerned citizen, you will not be notified of an upcoming review date. You may contact the appropriate board office to send letters of support or to request an interview with a parole panel member. You may call the TDCJ Parole Division, Review & Release Processing Section, at (512) 406-5202 after BPP has voted the offender to be released for the release status.Q: How do I arrange an interview with a parole panel member?
A: You may write or call the voting board office and request an interview with a voting parole panel member. Parole panel members, however, are not obligated to conduct interviews with any one except the victim, victim's family, or guardian of the victim.Q: Does an interview with a parole panel member increase the chances for parole?
A: No. An interview merely provides the offender, their family and/or friends the opportunity to speak with a voting parole panel member before the parole panel reviews a case.Q: Can I bring family members, friends, victim advocates with me to an interview?
A: The interviewing parole panel member decides the number of participants who may be present during an appointment. It is a good idea to ask the voting board office how many people will be permitted to participate in the interview.
A: Previous decisions are reconsidered when the Board receives new information in regard to a particular case. That information may include new disciplinary allegations, protest information from trial officials or victims, or new information regarding the case. Protest letters are considered confidential. Neither the Board nor its staff will release information about protest letters.Q: My relative received a denial reason "1D" and is not a gang member. Obviously, there is incorrect information in the file. How does the offender get a special review?
A: Each standard denial reason contains several factors, only some of which will likely apply to a specific case. Because not every component within a particular reason will apply to your relative's case, you should not conclude on this basis that the file is incorrect. See Board Rule §145.17 for Special Review criteria.Q: When will I know what the parole panel members have voted on a case and how will I find out?
A: You may contact the voting board office or the or the Board of Pardons and Paroles status line in Huntsville at (936)291-2106. Please have the offender's name, TDCJ-ID number and/or date of birth available to assist the staff in obtaining the correct information.
A: Two to four weeks.Q: How does the releasee get the decision?
A: The Parole Division sends a parole officer to deliver the Board's decision to the offender.Q: How can a person get a recording of the hearing?
A: Contact BPP Communications at (512) 406-5463 or write: Communications Unit, Board of Pardons and Paroles, 8610 Shoal Creek Blvd., Austin, Texas, 78757. The digital recording of the hearing(s) will be copied onto a compact disk (CD) for mailing. A fee will be charged for processing and shipping costs. Please provide the offender's name, TDCJ-ID number and the date of the hearing, if possible.Q: Can a person appeal the revocation decision?
A: Yes. See Board Rule §146.11 for information on filing a Motion to Re-open.Q: How does one find an offense severity rating for a particular offense?
A: See Current Offense Severity Rankings List (10-27-2009).pdf
A: An application must be submitted to the Clemency Section. To obtain an application, you may download from our website www.tdcj.state.tx.us/bpp or contact the Clemency Section @ (512) 406-5852 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.Q: What if I am unable to obtain a certified court document or an offense report?
A: If the Clerk is unable to provide a certified copy, please request that the clerk provide a letter on their letterhead stating that the documents are unavailable. If they are unwilling or unable to do so; you must address a letter to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles with an explanation of your attempts to obtain the information. The letter must be dated with the agency’s name, address and phone number; the person who was contacted; the date(s) you attempted to acquire the court documentation; and an explanation as to why the agency could or would not provide the documents requested.Q: Does a pardon remove the offense from a criminal record?
A: NO. The arrest is not automatically expunged upon a grant of a full pardon. But, a person who is convicted and who receives a full pardon is entitled under Article 55.01(a)(1)(B) to an expunction of all arrest records relating to the conviction.Q: What is the difference between an expunction and a pardon?
A: A pardon restores certain citizenship rights forfeited by law as the result of a criminal conviction, such as the right to serve on a jury, the right to hold public office, and the right to serve as executor or administrator of an estate. An expunction will remove all arrest records relating to the conviction pertaining to the court order.Q: Why can’t I get a pardon for a deferred adjudication?
A: To obtain a pardon, the person must have been convicted of a criminal offense. By Texas law, a court imposition of a deferred adjudication community supervision is not a conviction.Q: Can I get my gun rights restored for hunting?
A: The criteria for restoration of firearm rights are limited to extreme and unusual circumstances which prevent the applicant from gaining a livelihood.Q: What is the appeal process if the board does not recommend clemency?
A: There is no appeal process; however, applicants may re-apply for a Full Pardon or Restoration of Civil Rights two years after the board decision.Q: What documents are needed for re-applying?
A: Applicants who re-apply for a Full Pardon or Restoration of Civil Rights two years after the board decision are required to submit an application as submitted previously to the Clemency Section.Q: Who are the Trial Officials?
A: The Trial Officials include the District Attorney, District Judge, Sheriff and Chief of Police in which the county the offender was convicted.Q: What is the duration period on an Emergency Medical Reprieve (EMR) or Family Medical Reprieve (FMR)?
A: The duration of the reprieve will be determined by the governor.
Updated 01-20-2012
