Prisoner Review Board
Prisoner Review Board
The Prisoner Review Board plays a significant role in the two sentencing systems that govern those confined within Kansas Department of Corrections' facilities. Under the indeterminate release structure, the Prisoner Review Board determines when an incarcerated inmate will be released. Furthermore, the Board establishes supervision conditions of parole and conditional release, discharges successful parole and conditional releasees from supervision per the recommendation of the Parole Officer and revokes the release of those who have violated the conditions of their supervision.
On July 1, 1993, the legislature enacted the sentencing guidelines system. In this process, the Prisoner Review Board has the added responsibility of establishing conditions of supervision for inmates released on post-release supervision. The Board is also responsible for revoking those individuals who have violated their conditions of release.
Under both systems, the Prisoner Review Board has the responsibility to review executive clemency applications and make recommendations to the Governor regarding the clemency.
The Prisoner Review Board strives to cooperate fully with all criminal justice agencies for the continuing advancement of criminal justice and public safety in the State of Kansas. The Board also strives to be accessible to victims of crimes and other concerned citizens and to be receptive to their input.
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Overview
Historical Overview of Kansas Paroling Authorities
The system of early release of inmates, which we know today as “parole,” can be traced to as early as 1864. At that time the Governor, vested with constitutional authority, enjoyed the power to commute or reduce an inmate’s sentence when deemed appropriate and advisable. To offer assistance to the Governor, the 1885 Legislature created a Board of Pardons whose function was to review commutation or pardon applications and report their recommendations to the Governor. This was a three-person Board, which met four times per year at the State Capitol. Each member received $5 per day for compensation.
In 1901, the Legislature again addressed the area of early release of inmates and empowered the Governor to set certain inmates free under circumstances and conditions quite similar to today’s parole. In fact, this legislation was the first to ever use the word “parole.” The Governor was required to make certain findings before authorizing an inmate’s release under this system. The Governor had to be convinced that the inmate had served an adequate amount of time to be reformed. The Governor also had to find that the inmate could be released without endangering the community and that the inmate could find suitable employment upon release.
As with today’s parole, conditions were attached to this privileged release. The inmate was required to report regularly to the Warden, refrain from using intoxicating liquors and gambling, refrain from frequenting places where intoxicating liquor was sold or where gambling occurred and refrain from associating with criminals and unworthy associates. An inmate could be incarcerated for violating these conditions and might not again be released until the expiration of his sentence - a much stricter requirement than today.
It was not until 1903 that a release procedure was adopted that was independent of the Governor’s power. The Legislature created a Prison Board comprised of the Board of Directors and the Warden of the Penitentiary. The Board could parole inmates who had served their minimum sentences and had secured residence and employment. Conditions were attached to those releases and revocation was available when conditions were violated.
More than 50 years passed without substantive modifications to the Prison Board or its power. In 1957, however, the Prison Board was abolished and the Board of Probation and Parole was created. This Board had five part-time members who were appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. No more than three could share the same political affiliation and the membership had to include an attorney, a minister, a businessman and a farmer. The fifth member was chosen at-large.
The Board size was decreased in 1961 to three members, who received an annual salary as opposed to the previous per diem allowance. As before, the appointments were made by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The authority to grant or deny parole, and the powers attendant therewith, were vested exclusively in this Board while the Governor retained control over pardons and commutations. After a century of development and growth, the parole system finally emerged. It was allowed to separate from the Governor’s authority and was acknowledged as an independent entity.
The Board of Probation and Parole had the responsibility of deciding who was granted parole and to supervise those offenders who were placed on parole as well as those offenders who sentencing judges had placed on probation. The supervising task remained with the Board until 1974. At that time, the Board of Probation and Parole was abolished and replaced by the Kansas Adult Authority. This Board had five members, with no more than three permitted to be from the same political party. One member was required to be an attorney, and two of the others from the fields of medicine, psychiatry, sociology or psychology. With the removal of parole and probation supervision from its jurisdictions, the Board focused on parole decisions, policies, and procedures, revocation of parole violators, discharge of parolees from supervision and review of pardon and clemency applications.
In 1979, the five-member Board became full-time employees of the State of Kansas.
In 1983, the Governor reduced the Board to three members and this change was ratified by the 1984 Legislature. Also in 1984, the name was changed from the Kansas Adult Authority to the Kansas Parole Board effective January 1, 1986.
Kansas Parole Board members were appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. No more than two members could belong to the same political party. Members served staggered four year terms and represented diverse backgrounds, professional training and experience.
The 1988 Legislature increased Board membership to five then during the 1997 Legislative session; a law was passed which reduced the membership of the Parole Board to four full-time members. This reduction became effective in June 1997 effective July 1, 2003, the Legislature once again reduced the Board to three full time members.
In 2011, Governor Sam Brownback issued Executive Reorganization Order No. 34 (ERO 34) which abolished the Kansas Parole Board and established a three-member Prisoner Review Board whose members are appointed by the Secretary of Corrections and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. This change became effective July 1, 2011.
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Process
The Parole Process
Public Comment Sessions
The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City. The sessions provide an opportunity for Board members to receive written and oral input from victims, victims’ families, inmates’ families, community members and other interested persons regarding the possible parole of inmates. Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of relevant inmates are available at: Public Comment Sessions.
Parole Eligibility
Inmates under the indeterminate sentencing structure become parole eligible after serving the minimum sentence, less good time credits. The good time credits are calculated according to statute. Currently, good time is earned at a rate of one day for every day served for sentences with a minimum of two years. In other words, an individual will become eligible at half of his/her minimum sentence if all good time is earned. For sentences with a one-year minimum, parole eligibility is reached after serving nine months.
The Parole Hearing
By statute, the Board must conduct a parole hearing during the month prior to the inmate’s parole eligibility date with the inmate present if he/she is incarcerated in Kansas. This appearance does not necessarily mean that the inmate will be released on parole. Parole eligibility is viewed by the Board as distinctly different from parole suitability.
During the parole hearing the inmate is given an opportunity to:
- Present to the Board the inmate’s version of the offense and any mitigating or precipitating factors;
- Discuss the inmate’s prior criminal history;
- Discuss the progress the inmate has made and the programs that have been completed, including those that are a part of the inmate’s Program Agreement;
- Discuss the precipitating or mitigating factors of any Disciplinary Reports the inmate has received while incarcerated;
- Discuss the inmate’s problems and needs;
- Present and discuss a parole plan;
- Discuss other matters that are pertinent to consideration of parole release;
- Present other reasons the inmate believes makes him/her ready for parole.
Parole hearings provide the Board an opportunity to review all available reports and material pertinent to the case, as well as to question the inmate directly about relevant issues and to make an assessment of the inmate and his/her readiness for parole.
The Parole Decision-Making Process
Kansas Law stipulates that the Board may release on parole those inmates who have satisfactorily completed the Program Agreement, required by the K.S.A. 75-5210a, whom the Board believes are able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen, and when the Board is of the opinion that there is a reasonable probability that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate. (K.S.A. 22-3717 (e)).
In conjunction with K.S.A. 22-3717 (h), the following non-exhaustive factors are considered when determining parole suitability:
- Circumstances of the offense
- Previous criminal record and social history of the inmate
- Programs and program participation
- Conduct, employment, attitude, disciplinary history during incarceration
- Reports of physical/mental examinations, including but not limited to risk factors revealed by any risk assessment
- Comments from public officials, victims or their family, offender family or friends, or any other interested member of the general public
- Capacity of state correctional institutions
- Input from staff where offender is housed
- Proportionality of time served to the sentence that would have been received under the Kansas sentencing guidelines for the conduct that resulted in the inmate's incarceration
- Presentence report
In addition to soliciting comments from violent crime victims, comments are solicited from public officials regarding the inmate’s possible parole. These officials include the Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff’s Department, Police Department and the Sentencing Judge from the county or counties in which the inmate was convicted. This information is made available to the Board at the inmate’s hearing.
These considerations take into account the welfare of the community and public safety in determining the optimum period of time for parole release of an individual inmate. The parole decision is representative of the criminal justice system and governmental guidelines and is an attempt to reflect the general attitude and opinions of law enforcement and the community at large. Before granting parole, the Board determines whether or not an offender has demonstrated appropriate behavior which ensures a reasonable opportunity to succeed socially and economically. The Board takes into consideration the individuality of offenders on a case-by-case basis.
The Board can make one of three basic decisions at a parole hearing. These decisions are
- parole
- continue
- pass
The Board can decide to “parole” when it believes the inmate is suitable for release.
Secondly, the Parole Board can decide to “continue,” which is to postpone making a decision to parole or pass the inmate. This action is made to facilitate further deliberation or receipt of information, when it requires a more in-depth review or discussion of the case. The Board may also continue for additional votes necessary for a majority decision. Other times, it may continue for the inmates to undergo an evaluation to assess the inmate’s mental health. Once the reason for the continuation is satisfied, a determination as to whether or not to release the inmate is made.
The third decision is to “pass” for a particular period of time, which is a denial of parole. The maximum period for which the Prisoner Review Board may pass offenders convicted of A or B felonies or off-grid offenses is ten years, if the Board can provide reasons as to why it is not believed that the inmate would have been granted parole otherwise. Previously, offenders convicted of such offenses could only be passed for up to 3 years.
For offenders convicted of offenses other than A or B felonies or off-grid offenses, the Board may issue a pass for a period up to three years, provided the Board can give reasons as to why it is not believed that the inmate would have been granted parole otherwise. Previously, offenders convicted of such offenses could only be passed for up to one year.
Appeal
An inmate has the right to appeal a parole decision under authority of K.A.R. 45-200-2(b), when he/she can present “new evidence which was unavailable at the prior hearing.” The appeal must be made in writing and specify the new evidence upon which the inmate relies. Those that meet the outlined criteria are reviewed by the Prisoner Review Board so that a decision can be made regarding the appeal. Once a decision has been reached, the offender is notified of the decision by the Board.
Conditional Release
A conditional release is the date when an inmate under an indeterminate sentence must be released, because he/she has served half of the maximum sentence. Good time for conditional release is calculated in the same manner as for parole eligibility. Therefore, for sentences with a maximum of two years or more an inmate must serve one-half of the maximum before being conditionally released. For example, on a three-to-ten year sentence, an inmate will reach his/her conditional release after serving five years and must be released at that time, provided he/she has lost no good time. When an inmate reaches his/her conditional release, the Prisoner Review Board reviews the inmate’s file and establishes conditions with which the inmate must comply. The offender is then placed on conditional release and supervised until the maximum sentence date or granted an early discharge by the Board.
Post-Release Supervision
The Kansas Legislature imposed a Sentencing Guideline Sentencing structure for individuals whose crimes were committed on or after July 1, 1993. This system is determinate in nature, in that the inmate’s period of incarceration is predetermined at sentencing. Post-release supervision is similar to conditional release. Post-release supervision begins when an inmate has served the maximum sentence, less good time credits. Each sentence has its own predetermined period of supervision and the inmate may earn good time in an amount no greater than 15-20 percent (depending on when the crime occurred) of the sentence, thereby reducing the portion of the sentence that must be served in prison. This amount of time, however, will then be added to the period of post-release supervision, so that the entirety of the term will not be affected or reduced. Therefore, since the inmate’s release date is predetermined, the Prisoner Review Board’s role at release is to set the conditions of the supervision period. Once the individual reaches the expiration date of his/her supervision period, the individual’s obligation to the state has been satisfied.
Parole, Conditional Release, and Post-Release Revocation Hearings
In general, after an inmate has been released on parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, the Secretary of Corrections may issue a warrant when a violation of parole, conditional release or post-release supervision has been established. This process is initiated by an offender’s Parole Officer, not by the Prisoner Review Board. If the Parole Officer wishes to pursue revocation proceedings, a probable cause/ preliminary hearing is conducted by the field parole staff and an impartial hearing officer. If probable cause is found, the inmate may be returned to the Department of Corrections’ custody. The offender is then scheduled for a revocation hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. The inmate has the right to have witnesses present who may have information relevant to the alleged violation. If the violation is established to the satisfaction of the Board, it may revoke the parole, conditional release or post-release or take any other appropriate action. In the case that the release is revoked, this action could include assessment of a penalty in the nature of further time which the inmate must serve before again being considered by the Board for release.
For offenders under post-release supervision, the Board is limited in the length of time it can order offenders to serve on a condition violation. For these offenders, depending on when their original conviction occurred, the Board may only revoke for up to 90 days or for 180 days. The exception to these limits is if the violation results from a conviction for a new felony or misdemeanor. Prior to July 1, 2013, upon revocation for a new felony conviction the inmate was required to serve the entire remaining balance of the period of post-release supervision even if the new conviction did not result in the imposition of a new term of imprisonment. As a result of FY2013 legislation that amended K.S.A. 75-5217 (c) the Board, beginning July 1, 2013, has the discretion to require an offender to serve a revocation period up to the date of sentence discharge when revocation is predicated on either a new felony or misdemeanor conviction.
Waiver of Final Prisoner Review Board Hearing
During the FY 1999 legislative session, K.S.A. 75-5217 (b) was amended to provide post-release supervision violators the option of waiving their final hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. Following arrest, an offender is served documents regarding the pending revocation and has the option to admit guilt and sign a waiver of their right to a hearing before the Board. In doing so, the revocation process for the offender begins at that point, and the revocation period of either 90 or 180 days begins immediately, rather than after the offender appears in person before the Board at a revocation hearing. Offenders who have been granted a parole release are not eligible to waive their final hearing before the Board.
Discharge from Supervision
An inmate under the indeterminate release system can be maintained on supervision up to the expiration of his/her maximum sentence. There is a minimum requirement of one year of supervision before discharge may be requested. This action may be initiated by the offender’s supervising Parole Officer, the Prisoner Review Board or the offender. A poor performance under supervision could result in causing the inmate to remain under supervision for a longer period of time than one or two years. If an inmate’s adjustment has been satisfactory, the Parole Officer may submit a written report, summarizing the offender’s conduct while under supervision, which outlines for the Board issues such as employment, compliance with conditions and law enforcement contact. The Request for Discharge must be accompanied by an approval by the Parole Officer’s supervisor and is then considered by the Board. Without regard to his/her conduct, an inmate must be released from supervision at the maximum sentence expiration date in the absence of an early discharge.
During the FY 2013 legislative session, K.S.A. 22-3717 (d) (2) was amended to allow offenders serving 12, 24 or 36 months of post release supervision to petition the Board for early discharge if they have paid court ordered restitution.
Maximum Release
In the event an inmate under the indeterminate release system has had his/her Conditional Release revoked and/or serves to the maximum, he/she shall be released from prison at that time as the offender’s sentence has been satisfied. The Board has no authority to set any conditions upon the release or to have any control over the offender’s conduct. The Department of Corrections, similarly, cannot provide any supervision. Once an offender reaches his/her maximum date the offender’s obligation to the State has been satisfied and the Board records this with the issuance of a maximum sentence discharge certificate.
Executive Clemency
Executive Clemency is an extraordinary method of relief and is not regarded as a substitute for parole. An inmate who believes that he/she has a deserving case for executive clemency may request the necessary applications from institutional staff. Once completed by the inmate, these forms are submitted to the Board, along with the inmate’s reasons for applying for clemency. As required by law, a notice of the inmate’s application is forwarded to the official county newspaper in the area of conviction so that interested parties may offer comments. In the event the inmate does not have sufficient funds for the cost of this publication, the Department of Corrections bears the cost. Comments are solicited from the sentencing judge and the prosecuting attorney. After the formalities have been accomplished, the Board conducts a file review to determine if a personal interview with the inmate is warranted. After reviewing the file, and conducting a hearing (if needed), the Board then submits a recommendation to the Pardon Attorney in the Governor’s office for the Governor’s final action.
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Public Comment Sessions
Conditions
Standard Conditions of Post-release Supervision
1. Obligations & Accountability:
· Keep scheduled contacts with my Parole Officer as directed.
· Reside only at my approved residence and keep my residence there until given permission by my parole officer to relocate. I will notify my parole officer within 24 hours of any changes in my residential status if there is an emergency need to relocate.
· Will participate in the development and implementation of my individualized plan. This plan may require me to obtain employment, secondary education and attend and pay fees for treatment or other classes as directed.
· Obtain advanced permission from my parole officer to travel outside of my assigned parole district or the state of Kansas
·Pay restitution, court costs, supervision fees, and other costs as directed by my parole officer.
2. Laws & Personal Conduct:
· Obey all federal and state laws, municipal or county ordinances, including the Kansas Offender Registration Act.
· Notify my parole officer within 36 hours, if I have any law enforcement contact.
· Not engage in assaultive activities, violence, or threats of violence of any kind, threatening or intimidating behaviors, or lewd and lascivious behaviors.
·Comply with any order given by a Law Enforcement Officer
3. Weapons:
· Not own, possess or constructively possess, purchase, receive, sell or transport any firearms, ammunition or explosive device, any device designed to expel or hurl a projectile capable of causing injury to persons or property, any instrument or tool used with the intent to cause harm, or any weapon prohibited by law. Limitations include knives which can be automatically opened by the user or knives which are disguised as common items. A “knife” means a dagger, dirk, switchblade, stiletto, straight-edged razor or any other dangerous or deadly cutting instrument of like character. Exceptions to the restrictions are knives related to employment, which may be used and carried only in connection with employment, and kitchen knives when used as intended for food preparation or consumption.
4. Narcotics/Alcohol:
· Not possess, use, or traffic in any controlled substances or other drugs as defined by law and not prescribed for me by a licensed medical practitioner.
· Not consume any mind-altering substances, including, but not limited to alcoholic beverages, wine, beer, glue, or paint.
· Consent to submit to a blood, breathalyzer, saliva or urine test at the direction of the parole officer.
· Not tamper, falsify or dilute such a test.
5. Victim:
· No contact with the victim(s) in my case(s) or the victim’s family by any means including, but not limited to, in person, by phone, via computer, in writing or through a third party without the advance permission of my parole officer.
6. Search:
· Be subjected to a search of my person and my effects, vehicle, residence, and any other property under my control by parole officers, any authorized parole staff, and Department of Corrections Enforcement, Apprehension and Investigation officers with or without a search warrant and with or without cause.
· Be subjected to a search of my person and my effects, vehicle, residence, and any other property under my control by any law enforcement officer based on reasonable suspicion of violation of conditions of post-incarceration supervision, or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
If the offender is released to an out-of-state detainer and is subsequently released from incarceration for any reason, the offender must immediately contact the Kansas Department of Corrections, Parole Interstate Compact Office and provide information as to the offender's current status including residence and employment. If the offender is released to an in-state detainer and is subsequently released from local incarceration for any reason, the offender must notify the parole officer in the county which holds the detainer as well as the parole office on the offender's parole plan.
Special Conditions: The offender must agree to abide by the special condition(s) set forth, as well as to comply with instructions which may be given or conditions imposed by the offender's parole officer from time to time as may be governed by the special requirements of the offender's situation.
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Clemency
Executive clemency is considered a means to remedy a miscarriage of justice. It is an extraordinary method of relief and should not be regarded as a substitute for parole. If there has been a proper criminal conviction, a pardon does not erase the conviction from the record, remove responsibility for the crime, nor can it be the basis for a negative response to the question: "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?"
Although clemency can only be granted by the Governor, the Prisoner Review Board receives the information necessary to fulfill its statutory role of preparing a clemency packet and issuing a recommendation to the Governor. Following are the instructions for completing a clemency application:
- Complete and forward one (1) copy of the Notice of Clemency Application-Sentencing Form to the Judge, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff and Police Chief located within the county or counties of the applicant's conviction(s).
- Send two (2) copies of the Request for Publication Form to the official county newspaper within the county or counties of conviction. The applicant or his/her representing attorney shall sign and complete the return address at the end of the first paragraph. The Request for Publication Form must include the applicant's name, date of sentencing and county of conviction. When the notice is published, the affidavit and a copy of the printed statement will be returned to the sender and shall then be forwarded to the Kansas Parole Board.
- Complete two (2) copies of the Application for Clemency giving full and explicit reasons for seeking executive clemency. Include information regarding the applicant's conduct and adjustment since conviction.
- If an attorney is retained for clemency purposes, the attorney must submit the Attorney Affidavit called for in K.S.A. 22-3706.
- When complete, send all documents to the Prisoner Review Board at:
Kansas Department of Corrections
ATTN: Prisoner Review Board
714 SW Jackson, Suite 300
Topeka, Kansas 66603
- The Prisoner Review Board will examine all pertinent records, reports and other available information. Should a personal interview with the applicant be required, the Board will notify the applicant. Upon full review, the Board will submit a report along with all information received to the Governor. The applicant will be notified when the Governor renders a decision via letter.
| CLEMENCY APPLICATIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Year | Received by the PRB | Recommended Favorably by the PRB |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 30 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 |
5 |
| 2018 | 35 | 3 |
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Contact us
The Prisoner Review Board is located at:
Kansas Department of Corrections
ATTN: Prisoner Review Board
714 SW Jackson, Suite 300
Topeka, KS 66603
Phone: (785) 746-7516
E-mail: KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov
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Kansas Parole Board
- March 22, 2023 Public Comment Session Zoom Link — by CJ Perez — last modified Mar 10, 2023 10:51 AM
- March and April 2023 Schedule of Public Comment Sessions — by C.J. Perez — last modified Feb 13, 2023 07:58 AM
- The March and April 2023 Public Comment Sessions will be conducted using a Zoom Webinar platform. Sessions will be offered on March 9th and March 22nd, 2023. Individuals noted on the April 2023 Public Comment Offender List will be included in the March sessions for comments. Please be advised that the Prisoner Review Board will be accepting comments for offenders with hearings scheduled in April and May 2023. Those interested in attending or submitting correspondence to the Board may do so by registering and joining the scheduled Zoom Webinar and/or by mailing written comments to the PRB address included in the information below. Please utilize the Public Comment Forms in support or opposition in regard to offenders included on the offenders list for the upcoming January public comment sessions. Please mail correspondence to the address provided below by no later than Friday, March 31st (for those included on the April PE list below) and on Friday, April 28th for those included on the May PE list below). E-mail correspondence may be directed to KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov
- March and April 2023 Public Comment Offender List — by CJ Perez — last modified Feb 13, 2023 07:58 AM
- The following list of offenders are scheduled for parole hearings with the Prisoner Review Board during the months of April and May 2023. These offenders may become eligible for parole in May or June 2023.
- Overview and Instructions for Written Comments — by CJ Perez — last modified Aug 03, 2020 04:31 PM
- Public Comments Form - Support Release — by adamp — last modified Oct 03, 2014 03:02 PM
- Public Comments Form - Oppose Release — by adamp — last modified Oct 03, 2014 03:02 PM
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Clemency Application
October 2020 Public Comment Session Zoom Link
The link address is: https://kdoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s1tf6i0MTEaRt11O6QbXlg
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January 2021 Zoom
The link address is: https://kdoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kCbzsswiR-iqE9UfoDCHVw%20
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Jan. 6 Public Comment Session
The link address is: https://kdoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kCbzsswiR-iqE9UfoDCHVw
