PREPARE for Parole
Our Program
The aim of our PREPARE for Parole program is to empower and support people in understanding and navigating the parole system and in building a parole packet.
What is parole?
Parole is early but conditional release from prison.
What is a parole packet?
A parole packet is a detailed document which sets out a person’s strongest case for parole.
PREPARE for Parole
What goes into a parole packet
Packet Summary
The key facts at a glance: sentence, record, home plan and support network.
Advocacy Letter
Draws the evidence together in respect of the factors decision makers must weigh.
Life Story
Past, present and future, told in the person’s own words.
Remorse Statement
Understanding of the harm caused, and responsibility for it.
Photo Gallery
Lets the reader literally see the person they are reading about.
Reentry Plan
Housing, work and support, confirmed with acceptance letters.
Letters of Support
Evaluations and letters from staff, family and the community.
Summary of Programming
Every class, certificate and program completed in prison.
Getting Support
How can this support be accessed?
eLearning on prison tablets
People in prison in Maryland have access, through their tablets, to the same eLearning programming about parole preparation that we have made available to everyone throughout the country. Additionally there are some Maryland specific courses coming soon.
In-person workshops
PREPARE runs in-person workshops in facilities throughout Maryland. People should contact their case managers or ask around at their facilities if they want to attend a workshop. (In MCI-W they can place a written note in our dropbox on Center Hall.) Our current offering takes place as follows:
- A monthly workshop at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women
- A monthly workshop at the Jessup Correctional Institution
- A monthly workshop at the Eastern Correctional Institution
One to one consultation
PREPARE provides one to one in-person consultation to individuals at a small number of facilities. Our team members are present as follows:
- On a weekly basis at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women
- On a monthly basis in the women’s section of the Patuxent Institution
Write to us
PREPARE receives letters requesting advice and support with parole hearing preparation from people in prison in Maryland. The address to send those to is:
PREPARE, PO Box 9738, Towson, MD 21284
For attorneys
Attorneys looking for PREPARE’s input on a parole case can contact us at info@prepare-parole.org
Front cover of the fictional sample parole packet used in our eLearning course.