Tips for Writing a Letter of Support to the Texas Parole Board

If you are an offender eligible for parole in Texas, letters of support are a crucial part of the parole review process. These letters provide the parole board with insights into the offender’s support system and readiness for reintegration into society. Having the correct information and formatting in these letters can significantly impact the parole decision, increasing the chances of a favorable outcome.

Explanation of the Purpose and Importance

Letters of support play a vital role in the parole review process. They help demonstrate to the parole panel that the offender has a stable support system in place, which is essential for successful reintegration into the community. The letters can include important details such as employment opportunities, living arrangements, transportation plans, and participation in treatment programs. These elements collectively provide a comprehensive picture of the offender’s preparedness for life outside prison, reassuring the parole board of their potential for a law-abiding and productive future.

Writing a Letter of Support

The tips in this article about writing a letter of support to the parole board can help you make parole. The parole panel reviews letters of support placed in an offender’s case file before or during the parole review process.

A letter of support should demonstrate to the parole review board that an offender, if granted parole, has an adequate support system in place upon release. Important details to include in the letter are:

• Employment or potential employment
• Residence
• Transportation
• Treatment programs (if applicable)
• Any additional information the supporter believes will be helpful to the parole panel members in reaching a decision

When writing a letter of support, it is important to include the name of the offender and their TDCJ number. The letter should be written on letterhead stationery and mailed to:

TDCJ
Parole Division, Attention: Correspondence
P.O. Box 13401
Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711

Letter of Support to the Texas Parole Board FAQs

How should the letter be formatted?

The letter of support should be written on letterhead stationery and include the name of the offender and their TDCJ number. It should be clear, concise, and well-organized, typically divided into four paragraphs.

Who can write a letter of support?

• Immediate and extended family members (parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.)
• Close friends and other loved ones
• Respected community members and business owners
• Potential employers, counselors, teachers, fellow students, and religious mentors
• Individuals who have known the inmate in prison, such as the Prisoner’s Corrections Counselor or Supervisor, prison chaplains, volunteers, and others

How many letters of support are recommended?

An inmate should aim to have around 10 letters of support sent to the parole review panel. It’s important to prioritize the quality of the letters over quantity. The parole panel prefers several “clear and concise” letters written in support. Regularly requesting support letters from loved ones shows the parole panel that the inmate has a consistent and reliable support system.

What content should be included in the letter?

Each letter of support should include the following information:

First Paragraph:

• The inmate’s name, TDCJ number, occupation, and age
• Any relevant employment history

Second Paragraph:

• The author’s relationship to the inmate and how long they have known them

Third Paragraph:

• Reasons why the author believes the inmate is a good person despite their past mistakes
• The author’s belief that the inmate will reintegrate successfully into society as a law-abiding and productive member

Fourth Paragraph:

• Specific improvements in the inmate’s attitudes, behaviors, and efforts to improve while in prison
• The type of support the author will provide (e.g., transportation, housing, mentorship)

Each letter of support may include similar details. If the author is willing to help but doesn’t have a job or funds to offer the inmate, he or she can offer to mentor the parolee or offer encouragement and advice. Having a support system in place to help the parolee is invaluable upon release. Including these elements helps create a comprehensive and compelling case for the parole board to consider.

Additional Considerations

Multiple Copies: Do not send multiple copies of the same letter to individual members of the parole panel. Supporters’ letters will all be added to the offender’s case file to be reviewed by all members of the parole board before or during the parole review process.

Certificates and Transcripts: If the offender eligible for parole in Texas has completed courses and earned vocational or educational certificates in prison, the parole panel will accept certificate and transcript copies if the offender includes them for review. Note that the information should already be included in his or her case/interview summary submitted by the institutional parole officer.

Factors for the Parole Board to Consider: The author of the letter of support should review all of the factors the parole board will consider, including:

• The seriousness of the offense(s)
• Letters of support and/or protest
• Sentence length/amount of time served
• Criminal history / other arrests, probation, parole
• Number of prison incarcerations
• Juvenile history
• Institutional adjustment (participation in specialized programs)
• Offender age

Call attention to any of the above areas that reflect well on the inmate. For example, if the inmate was 17 years old with no prior offenses when the crime was committed, this should be noted in the letter of support. If they have successfully finished court-mandated therapy, e.g., an anger management program, and have made a noticeable positive change, you should note that in your letter of support.

Writing a Parole Support Letter

The following information is provided by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles’ guidelines for the benefit of the inmate’s family and friends who wish to write to them. The Board:

• Encourages inmates to offer evidence of support for parole, e.g., letters of support.
• Notes no “rules” for support letters are provided. The Parole Board recommends that the inmate use what’s suitable to his or her situation.
• Recommends asking those who care about the inmate, who want to offer help to him or her.

Before requesting a letter of support:

Prepare to answer the prospective writer’s question, “What’s a letter of support?” Explain that the letter should show multiple things about the relationship between the writer and the inmate, such as:

• The writer knows and cares about the inmate.
• The writer will be part of the support system and help in some way if the inmate is granted parole.
• The writer knows and communicates the inmate’s good qualities (to balance out the details of his or her criminal record).

Letter of Support Format

The letter of support should have four paragraphs, as outlined above.

According to a former parole officer, it’s important to provide the information in the guidelines. However, it is alright for supporters to have their letters be emotional or personal, as long as the required information is also included in its contents.

The goal of a supporter writing a letter should be to create a letter that stands out to the board in comparison to the thousands of letters the parole panel receives in a year. To distinguish the letter, the support should answer the following questions:

• What has this inmate done that differs from every other inmate that warrants his or her early return to the community?
• What information can you provide to support the conclusion that the inmate isn’t at risk for committing a new offense? (Refer to stable employment, environmental support, accountability, well-defined goals, and a thoughtful action plan to accomplish these goals.)
• Has the inmate evidenced a change in his or her behavior since conviction? (Reference his or her clean discipline record in prison, or show he or she consistently improved during incarceration.)
• Does the inmate show a desire to succeed? (It’s not enough to say he or she wants parole so much. The author must show how and why the inmate will be successful on parole.)

Letters of support copies should be placed in the parole packet. An experienced parole attorney is an invaluable resource in preparing and submitting the parole packet.

Information to Include in the Parole Packet

In addition to letters of support, the parole packet should include:

• Information about or copies of achievements and awards the inmate has achieved in prison
• His or her post-prison game plan. This explains his or her specific plans if granted parole, including details about job opportunities available.
• The packet is presented to the parole member interviewer. When properly prepared, the parole packet shows that the inmate is better prepared than most of his or her peers for re-entry into the community and that he or she has the support to implement the plan in the future.

The packet is presented to the parole member interviewer. When properly prepared, the parole packet shows that the inmate is better prepared than most of his or her peers for re-entry into the community and that he or she has the support to implement the plan in the future.

Parole Application and Assistance

Parole is an early release from prison to serve a portion of the prison sentence in the community. Not everyone is granted parole who is in prison, but most Texas inmates will become eligible. Parole may be granted once the inmate becomes eligible for parole if they:

• Observed and adhered to the rules of the prison
• Agree to obey local, state, and federal laws and to not promote disrespect for the law and/or criminal justice system
• Will not jeopardize public safety and welfare

Parole decisions are made by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles members and commissioners. If you are up for parole, retaining professional representation provides several benefits. The inmate does not have the right to be present at the parole hearing but can retain an attorney to represent them.

Offenders sentenced to death, life without parole, or for the crime of continuous sexual abuse of a minor (Penal Code 21.02) are not eligible for parole. Also, State Jail convictions are not applicable for parole eligibility.

An experienced parole attorney can help you prepare for the parole hearing by assembling a comprehensive parole packet, advising on the preparation of support letters, and representing your case to the parole board.

Contact an Experienced Texas Parole Attorney in Houston TX

If you or someone you love is eligible for parole, or will soon become parole-eligible, it’s important to ask supporters to write their letters to the Parole Board. Letters of support can benefit your case.

You may have many questions about the other ways to improve your chances of making parole in Texas. If you’re searching for an experienced parole attorney who will aggressively fight for you, contact The Law Office of Greg Tsioros at 832-752-5972 to request an initial case review.

*Originally posted on Mar 28th, 2018. Updated June 25th, 2024 to reflect current information.