How does a Proposition 57 PAROLE hearing work?

The new parole process for nonviolent offenders is done by paper-review, which means a hearing officer of the Parole Board will review your information to determine if you qualify for parole. There is no formal, in-person hearing. The standard used by BPH is whether the “inmate poses a current, unreasonable risk of violence or a current, unreasonable risk of significant criminal activity.” This is called the “public safety screen.” The parole officer makes this determination based on the information in your central file and RAP sheets, your behavior in prison, and any statements written on your behalf by friends and family. Letters of support should be sent to:

Board of Parole Hearings
PO Box 4036
Sacramento, CA 95812-4036

Please make sure the letter-writers know to include your CDCR number clearly on the letter so that it gets sent to the right file. BPH confirmed to us that a copy of every support letter that comes in will get routed to your C-file. The prosecutor and victim(s) are also notified of your hearing date and have 30 days to provide written statements to be considered by the hearing officer.