New York City Parole Defense Lawyer

Agressive and Experienced Parole Defense

The Division is part of the State’s Executive Department and is responsible for the community supervision and reintegration of offenders released from prison by action of the Parole Board, by conditional release, release to a period of post-release supervision or those sentenced directly to parole supervision. These responsibilities are carried out by field and facility Parole staff. The Chairperson of the Board of Parole is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Division.

Facility assigned parole officers are responsible for parole and post-release supervision orientation, identification of needs and targeted services, pre-release application process under the Interstate Compact, completion of the pre-Board interview, development of the supervision plan, and community preparation and case assignment. Facility parole officers complete pre-Parole Board interviews and community preparation interviews for all inmates appearing before the Board of Parole (indeterminate sentences) and for all inmates released by operation of law (determinate sentences). Parole Officers assigned to the NYS Department of Correctional Services facilities complete a core report known as the “Inmate Status Report”, in preparation for all discretionary appearances and case reviews. The Inmate Status Report is a comprehensive case management report and evaluation of case-specific data that is utilized by the Board of Parole in the discretionary release decision-making process and by Field and Re-Entry Services staff during the community preparation investigation phase.

Parole Officers are the Division’s line personnel and are usually assigned to an area office or a correctional facility. Facility Parole Officers guide and direct inmates during their period of incarceration. The duties of facility Parole Officers include: (1) helping inmates develop positive attitudes and behavior; (2) motivating their participation in appropriate programs; and (3) preparing inmates for their Board interviews and eventual release to the community. Parole Officers assigned to an area field office supervise and guide parolees during the period of adjustment from incarceration to community reintegration. All Parole Officers are peace officers who are trained and certified by the Municipal Police Training Council, under the auspices of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, in the use of firearms.

Parole Operations is supported by staff functions of Administrative Services, Support Operations, Policy Analysis, Information Services and the Office of Intergovernmental Relations and Public Affairs. Counsel’s Office provides legal advice on Division policy and authors and interprets legislation. Administrative Law Judges administer due process hearings for alleged parole violators. The Executive Clemency Unit investigates applications for pardon and commutation of sentence. The Victim Impact Office works with the New York State Crime Victims Board, local district attorneys and crime victims to help ensure that victims are aware of their rights with regard to the parole process and are afforded an opportunity to be heard in connection with the possible release of inmates. The Division maintains contact with crime victims and, at their request, keeps them apprised of parole interview dates and decisions, and the release dates of the offenders who victimized them. The Victim Impact Office also coordinates Victim Impact statement meetings between victims and/or their survivors and the Board of Parole.