Parole Release and Revocation

The Parole Release and Revocation project studied two distinct decision-making processes within the context of parole: release from prison and violations and revocation of parole. An important goal of this project was to improve decision-making at every stage. Researchers developed comprehensive profiles describing the legal framework of parole release and revocation in state and federal jurisdictions and completed a national survey of paroling authorities, which provided a rich understanding of their policies, practices, and viewpoints. From this work, researchers also identified potential “levers of change,” or reforms in the area of discretionary parole release and revocation that can potentially impact prison populations by altering parole grant rates and durations of time served. Later work moved to an applied focus as Robina collaborated with jurisdictions to further study and develop policy and practice solutions for issues such as reducing the imprisonment time for people who are revoked from parole. 

Parole Release and Revocation Project Advisory Council

• Mark H. Bergstrom, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing - Executive Director
• Peggy Burke, Center for Effective Public Policy - Principal
• William D. Burrell, Corrections Management Consultant
• Clark A. Harms, Utah Board of Pardons and Parole - Former Chair
• John F. Hodges, Iowa Board of Parole - Chair
• Joan Petersilia, Stanford University - Professor
• Jeffrey L. Peterson, Minnesota Department of Corrections Hearings and Release Unit - Executive Officer, Retired
• Carl V. Reynolds, Council of State Governments Justice Center - Senior Legal and Policy Advisor 
• Michelle S. Phelps, University of Minnesota Department of Sociology - Associate Professor
• Michael Santos, PrisonProfessor.com - Director
• Christine Scott-Hayward, California State University, Long Beach School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management - Assistant Professor
• J. Patricia Wilson Smoot, United States Parole Commission - Former Chair
• Richard Stroker, Center for Effective Public Policy - Senior Manager