Who are parole violators?
Parole violators are classified as either Criminal Parole Violators (CPVs) or Technical Parole Violators (TPVs).  A CPV is an offender who has committed a new crime while on parole. A TPV is an offender who breaks the terms and conditions of his or her parole. Breaking curfew or failing to pass a drug test are examples of technical parole violations. However, offenders are not sent back to prison for one technical violation of parole. On average, an offender receives five (5) sanctions prior to being either sent to a parole violator center or recommitted to prison. Often the last violation may be the “straw that broke the camel’s back” if an offender has been repeatedly violating technical conditions of parole or has been in and out of drug treatment and has not been successful.

CPVs Go Directly to Prison
Offenders who are arrested for committing a new crime while on parole are given no grace period. They are detained in prison under Board warrant until their new charges have been settled – even if they post bail.

Offenders who are recommitted by the Board for being convicted of a  new crime lose their time on the street, which means they must serve that time back in prison.

TPVs Require More Involved  Management
Parolees who are returned to prison for technical violations are more likely to fail if re-paroled later compared to parolees who are able to maintain active ties within their community. Most offenders can be safely and effectively managed in the community where they are connected with family and resources.  When offenders commit less serious or minor technical violations they are responded to by intermediate sanctions in lieu of incarceration.
 
These practices include the use of intermediate sanctions and community based programs, many in community corrections facilities, focusing on crime prevention. The programs use risk and needs assessments to address the root causes of the crime- producing behavior, provide behavioral treatment, and use cognitive behavioral approaches to change criminal thinking.

The Board’s violation sanctioning grid (VSG) incorporates important factors such as the risk level, stability of the offender in the community, family support and employment. The VSG provides a graduated system of parole sanctions depending on the severity and number of infractions a parolee has committed.

On average, a parolee has five sanctions prior to recommitment to prison, ranging from a written warning to placement in a substance abuse program. It is important to understand that although these violations are “technical,” they can lead to criminal behavior if not addressed. When this occurs, parolees are returned to prison as technical or criminal parole violators depending on the type of violation.

Parole Violator Centers
Parole Violator Centers (PVCs) are designed to help an offender with their adjustment to life in the community under parole supervision. These Centers focus on providing immediate treatment and programming that is specific to individual circumstances. It is the goal of the Parole Board to address an offender’s violation behavior in order to help the offender successfully complete parole and lead a law-abiding lifestyle.

For more information on Parole Violator Centers, click HERE.