In 1990 the parole approval rate was 79 per cent. Currently the parole approval rate is averaging 18-20 per cent. What happened over the last 10 years? First, we no longer have the overcrowded conditions that existed in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Second, the voters in texas and across the nation have stongly expressed their desire to see inmates serve substantial amounts of their sentences. As a result, in Texas, Amendments to parole and mandatory supervision laws are causing inmates to serve more time before being eligible for release. Third, the politics behind the Texas Parole Board has changed drastically in recent years. In the past, one-third of the Board members were appointed by three different elected officials, subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate. Today, all Board members are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, but are employees at will. Each Board Member appointed by the Governor may also be removed by the Governor (except for those Board Members appointed by a previous governor). Governor Bush has appointed all of the current 18 Board Members. This political situation has literally given the Governor unbridled power to control the policy and actions of the Board.

Adding to the inequity, the individual members of the board have widely differing opinions about what crimes are more serious than others. Just as sentencing practices of our courts vary from county to county, so do the decision-making practices of our Board Members. Lawyers who become involved in representing clients in matters before the Board should know the personalities and voting practices of the panel voting the case, just as lawyers should be familiar with the individual practices of a judge drawn at trial.

Viewers of Court T.V. sometimes get to observe parol