Victim Services Division

Parole Process Overview

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Parole Division processes offender cases for parole review by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (TxBPP). Parole is the discretionary release of an offender to serve the remainder of a sentence in the community under supervision. The TxBPP decides which eligible offenders to release on parole or discretionary mandatory supervision, and under what conditions. Parole is a privilege, not a right. The TxBPP uses research-based Parole Guidelines to assess each offender’s likelihood for a successful parole against the risk to society.

The TDCJ Victim Services Division provides notification to victims of crime, their families, criminal justice professionals and concerned citizens regarding the parole review process. Those registered on the confidential Victim Notification System will receive notice of the parole review process and be given the opportunity to submit protest correspondence for consideration by the TxBPP at the appropriate time. Victims defined by Texas Government Code 508.117 may also request to speak to the TxBPP.

The review process generally takes approximately two to six months to complete and those registered for notification with TDCJ Victim Services Division will receive notice of the TxBPP's decision.