Frequently Asked Questions

Parole in Texas Release and Supervision
SUPPORT LETTERS FOR THE PAROLE FILE 

Inmates in the Texas prison system are encouraged by the Board of Pardons and Paroles to provide evidence of support for their release on parole. One way to do this is through letters supporting an inmate's release. The information below is provided for inmates and family members who have questions about such letters.


There are no rules for support letters. These are only guidelines and suggestions. You must use what fits your own special situation.  Don't be afraid to ask people to write letters. Many people care and want to help.  Your request for help may give them a better understanding of the correctional process.

Q: WHAT IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT?
A: Letters of support are evidence that the offender will have a network of friends and family to help when he or she is released.

They show:
  1. Somebody know the inmate and cares.
  2. The inmate has free world input while in prison.
  3. Someone will help when he/she gets out.
  4. The good side of the inmate and thus help balance the bad side which appears  in his or her criminal record.

Q: WHO WRITES SUPPORT LETTERS?
A:
  1. You, family members, close friends and loved ones.
  2. Relatives, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
  3. Respected members of the community, such as businessmen.
  4. Prospective employers, school teachers, religious teachers, students,  counselors, etc.
  5. The inmates TDC supervisors or other people who have known him/her while in prison, e.g. chaplain, counselor,    teacher, volunteers     from the community.

NOTE: If you can't find anyone who knows the inmate, you may ask for letters from people who know you and state that your support will be of value during the offender's re-adjustment to the community.

Also, people can write offering their support for the inmate based on their position in the community (such as a minister in your church.)

Q: HOW MANY SUPPORT LETTERS?
A: At the time of the parole interview, three to ten support letters should be enough.  Keep sending support letters regularly, not just at the parole interview date.  This shows consistency and active support and lets the Parole Board know that you'll stick by the inmate after release.

Q: WHAT TO SAY?
A: There are several general areas of information to be included in these letters.

1. State your name, age and occupation. If you have been on the current job for a number of years, state the number of years you have been similarly employed.

2. State your relationship with the inmate and the length you have known him or her.

3. Your belief that, despite his/her mistake, he/she is a good person and the reason you feel this way.

4. Your belief that the offender will be a useful and law abiding citizen if given the opportunity.  You may describe improvements in the inmate's attitude, behavior, or efforts he/she has made to improve himself/herself.  If you will provide housing, give the address and a phone number if you have one.  You can mention other kinds of help you can provide, for instance, clothing or transportation.

Other people who will write a support letters may include the same type of information.  If they are willing to help the inmate in some way, they may include that in the letter. Some people are willing to help, but don't have money or a job to offer. They can offer to spend time with the offender doing something positive and worthwhile, or they can offer advice and encouragement. This kind of help is also necessary for someone just released from prison.
 

NOTE: Under guidelines of a directive from the TDC administration, ii is possible for prison employees to write letters of recommendation for parole.  This is most commonly done by supervisors in a department where an inmate works or by ranking officials on the unit who have personal knowledge of the inmate.

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