Return to home pageGranting parole is the act of releasing a jailed criminal after he or she serves a portion of the court-mandated sentence in prison. This is a positive step if the officers can accurately determine that the criminal has been reformed, understands his/her wrongdoing, and realizes the correct behavior necessary to live among peers. Before being released, potential parolees must appear before a parole board. Hopefully, if released, the ex-convict can put his/her life back together and help the community. Problems occur here, though. Many times, criminals take advantage of the parole and although it seems they have reformed, they return to criminal behavior. In 1992, 573,844 offenders were paroled. It was reported that 162,062 of these people were sent back to prison; a very disturbing percentage. Essentially, these criminals committed new crimes even before the prison term for their old time expired. Critics of parole argue that under such a system, criminals are not serving their full sentences and are most likely not learning the "full lesson" prison is meant to teach.
Should any criminals be allowed on parole?
Should criminals convicted of violent crimes be allowed on parole?
Should the victims of the crimes testify before parole boards?
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