Freedom, but with Strings Attached: Understanding Parole
“This court, having found the defendant guilty as charged in Count 1, hereby sentences you to three years’ imprisonment to be served at a maximum security facility as designated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections.”
The judge’s pronouncement is often perceived as the final nail in the coffin that sends you to jail for the crime you’ve been accused of. However, it’s not always the end of the road. Under the parole program, inmates can benefit from early release after meeting specific conditions.
How does the program work? What conditions must South Carolina inmates meet to be eligible for parole? Read on for more insights.
What is Parole?
In simple terms, parole is the early release of an inmate from jail after meeting specific requirements. The eligibility requirements may vary from South Carolina to other jurisdictions, but generally, they must have served at least a third of the prison sentence.
Even after being released back into society and becoming a parolee, you are still regarded as an inmate. And the release is in a limited capacity, monitored under the watchful eye of a parole officer.
For you to maintain your freedom, you must live by a set of rules like periodically meeting with your parole officer. But before we get into the nuts and bolts of this system, what are the South Carolina parole eligibility requirements?
Am I Eligible for Parole?
As criminal attorney Adams & Bischoff says, “One of the most basic requirements is serving at least a third of your prison sentence. Other than that, as an inmate, you must have portrayed good behavior through the entirety of your sentence, which means you would benefit from parole and are less likely to commit the same crime if released.”
Suppose you meet all the prerequisite conditions; how do you go about the process of requesting parole?
Understanding the Process
First, you would ask your case manager for the application form. You will fill out this form, after which the case manager submits it to the parole board.
Next up is the parole hearing. Once a date is set, you will be given a chance to plead your case and explain to the board how you would benefit from parole.
Maintaining Your Freedom
If your application is deemed successful, you will be released back into society in a limited capacity. Your freedom is contingent on several requirements, which you must adhere to during the entire parole period.
For you to maintain your freedom, you must:
- Report to your parole officer regularly
- Maintain a stable job
- Keep your parole officer informed of your whereabouts and seek their permission before changing jobs or addresses.
- Steer clear of crime
- Submit monthly written reports
- Report any arrests within 24 hours
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
What if I Break the Rules?
The repercussions will hinge on the severity of your violation. Your parole officer may let you off with a warning for slight violations like having a glass of wine.
However, most of the time, violating the terms of your parole may lead to a parole violation hearing where a judge will determine if you did, in fact, break the conditions of your parole. Below are some of the possible repercussions:
- Increased supervision
- Modification of parole terms
- Short term incarceration
- Revocation of Parole
- New Charges and sentencing
Conclusion
Throughout the parole process, working with a South Carolina criminal defense lawyer is critical. Their counsel can help you make the right decisions and understand the law as it applies to your case.
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