NCJ Number
185647
Date Published
2000
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report focuses on inmates eligible to be evaluated for a Certificate of Earned Eligibility in New York State between October 1999 and March 2000 prior to their initial parole hearing.
Abstract
There were 9,551 initial parole eligibility hearings during the 6-month period involving inmates who had been evaluated for a Certificate of Earned Eligibility. Of the 9,551 hearings involving eligible inmates, 6,727 or 70 percent were issued certificates prior to their initial board; 1,733 or 18 percent were denied certificates and 1,091 or 11 percent were determined to be non-certifiable for earned eligibility at the time of review, primarily due to insufficient time in programs. Inmates who were issued certificates were substantially more likely to be granted parole than those denied certificates or those granted non-certifiable status. During the 6-month period, 63 percent of inmates who were issued certificates were approved for release to parole supervision, compared to 27 percent of those denied certificates and 41 percent of those granted non-certifiable status. The highest release rates were for drug offenders and youthful offenders who were issued certificates, while the lowest release rates were for other coercive offenders and violent offenders who were denied certificates. There were 1,314 merit releases to parole supervision and 1,919 merit hearings during the 6-month period. Cost savings of the earned eligibility program were substantial. 7 tables