JUS-441_T8_ParoleBoardHearingSimulation.docx

    JUS-441 Topic 8 Parole Board Hearing Simulation

    Instructions: Read the case scenario regarding the parole request of the inmate Pele’ese (Pele) Dile including the five (5) facts/assumptions listed below. Use the following scenario to assist you as an agent for the state parole board in making a decision to grant or deny a discretionary parole to Ms. Dile in this scenario. In Part I of the assignment, you will complete the form to help you determine your outcome to Ms. Dile’s parole request. In Part II, you will write an essay of 500-750 words addressing some questions about the parole process.

    Imagine you have been on the parole board for 2 years along with three other parole board members. You are about to hear Ms. Dile’s request for parole. Ms. Dile is up for parole for the second time. She is presently serving a ten (10) year sentence in a medium security facility for residential burglary, and has completed 4 years, and 6 months. Her background:

    Case Scenario

    Pele Dile is female, Pacific Islander, aged 30 years, and begun serving her sentence in a maximum-security facility for the first 3 years of her 10-year sentence. At the indoctrination center of the prison, which lasted for 4 weeks, Pele was interviewed by the prison staff to determine her initial classification. During the multitude of interviews, Pele reported dropping out of Canyon University after she had turned 20 years of age and blames her youthful ignorance on hanging with the wrong crowd (2nd Row Girls Club) for most of her involvement in criminal behavior and drugs. She has admitted to smoking marijuana & crack cocaine, although she claims to have kicked the habit because of peer mentoring. She has completed several prison programs dealing with her severe anger management issues.

    Ms. Dile’s transition into prison life was rather uneventful with only a few prison rule violations. During her integration into the prison, a couple of minor rule violations caused her to lose her visitation, commissary, and library privileges for short periods of time. In the last 4-½ years, Pele was placed in administrative segregation several times. The first two times for fighting; she was involved in a caustic relationship with another inmate, causing strife with another inmate named Susie "Sugar-Britches" McGhee. She received one week of administrative segregation and forfeited 13 days of good time. The second time, had something to do with a prison gang member, but the reason was never discovered. She was placed in administrative segregation for 2 weeks, and 17 days of good time was removed from her record. The third time she was placed in administrative segregation after a disciplinary hearing. Immediately after a face-to-face visitation with her boyfriend, Pele was subjected to a shakedown search and was found in possession of a small bag of cannabis and a small folding knife. She was given administrative segregation for 3 weeks, and lost visitation rights for 3 months.

    Pele has participated in many prison vocational programs, and now works in the industrial arts area of the prison 4 days a week. She has earned enough money credits to purchase the small incidentals that she wants from the prison canteen (commissary). She participates in the religious programs at the prison on Sunday morning.

    Pele recently moved into a medium security facility and is pursuing her online Associate of Arts Degree. Pele has had several run-ins with the law while a juvenile but was never held in a juvenile detention facility. As an adult, she had been arrested several times, (see below criminal history), and has served a variety of sentences.

    ADULT CRIMINAL RECORD:

    Pele's criminal history is provided to give insight into her past and should not be used in determining her parole eligibility. Criminal history of past events are not transferable into present events.

    Offense:

    Age:

    Disposition:

    Shoplifting

    17

    Supervision

    Malicious Mischief

    17

    Found not guilty

    Driving while under the influence (DUI): Alcohol and Cannabis

    18

    One-year supervision with 6 months revocation of her driver's license.

    Burglary to vehicle

    19

    Restitution and Supervision

    Domestic Battery

    22

    Case was dropped.

    Aggravated assault

    23

    2 years felony probation

    Burglary

    25

    10 year sentence

    Additional Facts of the Case:

    1. Pele's social service counselor reports considerable progress. There has been a significant change in her attitude evident during group and individual therapy sessions.

    2. At the present time, she has accumulated forty-three (43) days of good time.

    3. The inmate has made steps to finish her Associates Degree.

    4. During individual therapy sessions with the counselor, Pele has admitted previously, to using a variety of controlled substances prior to incarceration.

    Assignment Instructions Part I: Complete the “ARIZONA BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

    STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING GUIDELINES FORM” below.

    ARIZONA BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

    STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING GUIDELINES FORM

    IF GRANTING PAROLE – CHECKMARK BOXES THAT APPLY

    CHECKMARK

    REASON

    Strong Release Plan

    Health Factors

    Positive Demeanor During Hearing

    Passive/Minor participation in offense(s)

    Offender Age

    External factors provoked or precipitated offense

    Substantial justification for offense

    Impaired Capacity

    Under duress

    Strong family/community support system

    Good/excellent programming

    Good/excellent institutional behavior

    History of good performance or prior probation/parole

    IF DENYING PAROLE – CHECKMARK BOXES THAT APPLY

    CHECKMARK

    REASON

    X

    Poor/No release plan

    Poor Demeanor during hearing

    Loss of human life

    X

    Serious physical injury

    Trauma to victim

    X

    Multiple victims

    Victim Harassment

    X

    Repetitive nature of non-property offenses

    X

    Needs closer supervision

    X

    Recent disciplinary infractions

    X

    Has not addressed problems that led to criminal behavior

    Poor Program/Work Performance

    X

    Poor Institutional Behavior

    History of Poor Performance on prior probation/parole

    X

    History of assaultive behavior

    x

    No family/community support system

    X

    Repetitive nature of non-DUI related offense

    Other Reasons: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Assignment Instructions Part II- Parole Hearing Rationale Essay

    Write an essay of 500-750 words, discussing the process of parole.

    1) In general, discuss the procedural steps of parole.

    2) In the case of Ms. Dile, provide a written description of why you did not elect to vote for the parole.

    If you did not elect to parole Ms. Dile, what recommendations might you provide to Ms. Dile to improve her opportunities for parole?

    Be sure to cite three to five relevant scholarly sources in support of your content. Use only sources found at the GCU Library, government websites/legal case sites or those provided in Class Resources.

    Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

    This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

    You are required to submit Part II only of this assignment to LopesWrite. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

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