Appendix Table 1: Characteristics of discretionary parole boards and parole hearings, 2025
This table accompanies our two-part series on discretionary parole systems. Here, we’ve compiled statutes, policies, and other information about parole boards for 35 states which have discretionary parole, including Louisiana and California. Information is current as of July 2025.
| Parole board composition | How parole hearings work | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Name of parole board authority | Statute(s) establishing the parole board | Number of members (max. as allowed by statute) | Is the board fully appointed? (as of July 2025) | How are members appointed? | Board member experiential requirements or restrictions | Term length | Term limits | How are board members compensated? | Are hearings face-to-face? If so, in-person or via videoconferencing? | Is legal representation allowed at hearings? | Are hearings public? | Are hearing transcripts available? | How many members make a hearing panel? | |
| Alabama | Bureau of Pardons and Paroles | S15-22-20 | 3 | Yes | Governor, with the consent of the Senate; chosen from a list of 5 nominees created by the lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and president of the state senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: One member must be a current or former law enforcement officer with a minimum of 10 years’ experience Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: The board “shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, or economic diversity of the state” | 6 years | No | Salary | No. Parole applicant does not participate directly in parole hearings; however, they do an interview with an inst. parole officer prior to the hearing | No | Yes | Unclear; possibly upon request | 2 (a quorum) | |
| Alaska | Parole Board | S33.16 | 5 | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least one member must have “experience in criminal justice” Geographic: One member from 1st judicial district; one from 3rd judicial district; one from 2nd or 4th judicial district Other/general: “The governor shall make appointments to the board with due regard for representation on the board of the ethnic, racial, sexual, and cultural populations of the state” | 5 years | No | Per diem | Yes, (in person, by telephone, or virtual) | Yes | No | No | ||
| Arkansas | Post-Prison Transfer Board | S16-93-201 | 7 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Each member shall have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and 5+ years’ professional experience in parole or post-release supervision, probation, corrections, criminal justice, law, law enforcement, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, social work, or other related field, OR 7+ years experience in one of these fields if no bachelor’s degree Geographic: Other/general: If the Board does not meet the ACA standard of the Board being representative of the diversity of the significant population under its jurisdiction, the board chair will bring to governor’s attention during the selection process for a new Board member | 7 years | No | Salary; approx. $88k-110k | Yes (virtual or in-person) | Yes | No | No | 1 member can conduct a hearing, but 5 affirmative votes are required | |
| California | Board of Parole Hearings | S12838.4 Article 14 and CA Penal Code ยง 5075 | 21 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: “The selection of persons…shall reflect as nearly as possible a cross section of the racial, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic, and geographic features of the population of the state” | 3 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual); by statute, certain people are automatically scheduled for an in-person hearing, including but not limited to those in the developmental disability program, those whose primary communication method is sign language, and those identified by CDCR as having a condition or disability that impacts their ability to communicate with others or by videoconference technology. | Yes | No; neutral observers or credentialed media can attend upon request only | Yes; the board sends a copy to the parole applicant, and others can request it | ||
| Colorado | State Board of Parole | S17-2-201 | 9 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Two must have a minimum of 5 years experience in law enforcement; one must have experience in community corrections Education/occupation: Minimum 5 years experience in “a relevant field” Geographic: Other/general: | 3 years | No | Salary; approx. $120k | Yes (typically virtual or by telephone), though the board may decide to conduct a release review without the applicant’s presence | Yes | Yes | By CORA or CCJRA request | 1 member can conduct an application interview, but two members must concur | |
| Connecticut | Board of Pardons and Paroles | S54-124a | 10 full time, up to 5 part time | Yes | Governor, confirmed by house and senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “Qualified by education, experience or training in administration of community corrections, parole or pardons, criminal justice, criminology, evaluation or supervision of offenders or the provision of mental health services to offenders” Geographic: Other/general: | “coterminous with the term of the Governor” | Yes; same as appointing governor | Salary (full-time members); per diem (part-time members) | Yes (virtual) | No | Yes | Yes, upon request | 3 | |
| Georgia | State Board of Pardons and Paroles | S42-9-2 (originally created via state constitution) | 5 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: | 7 years | No | Salary | No; all “hearings” are administrative only | No | No | No | ||
| Hawaii | Hawaii Paroling Authority | S353-61 | 5 | Yes | Governor; appointed from a nominated list from a committee (see other requirements) | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: “Nominees to the authority shall be selected on the basis of their qualifications to make decisions that will be compatible with the welfare of the community and of individual offenders, including their background and ability for appraisal of offenders and the circumstances under which offenses were committed” | 4 years | No | Salary (chairperson); wage (other members) | Yes (format unclear) | Yes | No | No | ||
| Idaho | Commission of Pardons and Parole | S20-1002 | 7 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Not more than 4 members from any one political party Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: | 3 years | No | Per diem | Yes (virtual) | Yes | Yes | No; summary minutes available upon request | ||
| Iowa | Board of Parole | S904A.1, S904A.2 | 5 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: One attorney licensed to practice law in Iowa and “who is knowledgable in corrections procedures and issues”; one person holding at least a master’s degree in social work or counseling and guidance and who is knowledgable in corrections procedures and issues Geographic: Other/general: One “disinterested layperson;” “shall include a member of a minority group” | 4 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual) | No | Yes (audio only) | Unclear | ||
| Kentucky | Parole Board | S439.320 | 7 full-time, 2 part-time | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate; nominated from list given by the Kentucky State Corrections Commission | Political affiliation: No more than 6 members from the same political party Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least 5 years experience in penology, correction work, law enforcement, sociology, law, education, social work, medicine, or a combination thereof, or have served at least 5 years previously on the parole board Geographic: Other/general: | 4 years | No | Salary (full-time members); per diem (part-time members) | Yes (in person or virtual) except for certain class C or D felonies | Unclear; statute and policies are silent on representation | Yes | Unclear; possibly upon request | 5 make a quorum | |
| Louisiana | Committee on Parole | S15:574.2 | 7 | Yes | Governor; five members (who are also the Board of Pardons) confirmed by senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least a bachelor’s degree and not less than 5 years experience in penology, corrections, law enforcement, sociology, law, education, social work, medicine, psychology or psychiatry, or a combination thereof, or no bachelors degree and 7 years experience Geographic: Other/general: | 4 years (same as appointing governor | Same term as appointing governor (2 term limit, 4 year terms) | Salary; $50k for chairperson, $47k for vice chairperson | Yes (virtual) | Yes | Yes | No and yes; you can get transcripts from Youtube | ||
| Maryland | Parole Commission | Title 7, Subtitle 2, S7-202 | 10 | No (7 of 10) | The Secretary of Public Safety; approved by governor, with advice/consent of the senate | Political affiliation: “Appointed without regard to political affiliation” Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “Have training and experience in law, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, education, social work, or criminology” Geographic: Must be resident of the state Other/general: | 6 years | No | Salary: approx. $117k | Yes (in person) | No | No; at victim request only | No | 2 for those serving a life sentence of convicted for any form of homicide; otherwise, 1 hearing officer | |
| Massachusetts | Parole Board | Title II ch. 27 S4 | 7 | No (6 of 7) | Governor with advice and consent of the council; governor appoints a nominating committee | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “One must at all times have experience in forensic psychology; Nominees must be graduates of 4-year colleges with 5 years experiends in one or more of parole, probation, corrections, law, law enforcement, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, social work; At least one person on the list must be a professional in adolescent development and psychology and be selected from a list of nominees provided by pediatrics/adolescent psychiatry/psychology orgs; Must also include an attorney, a psychiatrist, a victim witness advocate (otherwise qualified as above) and a member of parole staff” Geographic: Other/general: | 5 years | No | Salary; upwards of $190k | Yes, in-person at facility (non-life sentences) or parole board office (life sentences) | Yes, in hearings for parole applicants with life sentences | Yes, in hearings for parole applicants with life sentences | Yes , for hearings for parole applicants with life sentences only | 3 for those serving non-life sentences; full board for life sentence hearings | |
| Michigan | Parole Board | S791.231a | 10** | No (9 of 10) | The director of corrections | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least 4 must have never been employed by or appointed to a position in the department of corrections Geographic: Other/general: | 2-4 years | No | Salary | Unclear; the website mentions “interviews” of parole applicants | Yes | Yes, for parole applicants with certain life sentences | No | 3 for those serving non-life sentences; full board for life sentences | |
| Mississippi | State Parole Board | S47-7-5 | 5 | Unclear | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: “appointed without regard to political affiliation” Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma and not less than 4 years work experience Geographic: Beginning January 2028, one (1) appointed from each Mississippi Supreme Court District and two (2) from the state at large Other/general: | At the determination of the governor | No | Salary and “compensation or per diem” | Unclear; website has no info, but statute mentions having a hearing “before the board” or “with the board.” | Yes | Unclear | Unclear | ||
| Missouri | Parole Board | S217.665 | 7 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: No more than 4 from the same political party Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: “Persons of recognized integrity and honor, known to possess education and ability in decision-making through career experience and other qualifications for the successful performance of their official duties” | 6 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual or in person) | Yes | No | No | 1 board member and 2 hearing officers | |
| Montana | Board of Pardons and Parole | S2-15-2305 | 6*** | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “One of the following: (1) A college degree in criminology, corrections or related social science; (2) 5 years extensive work experience in corrections, the CJ system, or criminal law OR (3) a law degree” Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual or in person) | Yes | Yes | Unclear | 3 | |
| Nebraska | Board of Parole | Chapter 83, S189, S190 | 5 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the legislature | Political affiliation: Law enforcement:At least one with professional background in corrections Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: At least one must be female, at least one must be a member of an “ethnic minority group” | 6 years | No | Salary; $94k for chairperson, $86k for other members | Yes (virtual) | Yes | Yes | Unclear | quorum, undefined | |
| Nevada | Board of Parole Commissioners | S213.108 | 7 | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Members must have bachelor’s degree + 3 years work experience in law enforcement, sociology, psychology, social work, law, or administration of correctional facilities and programs, or 4 years experience in prisons, probation, law enforcement, prosecution, social work, victims rights. “To the extent practicable” governor must appoint at least one and not more than 2 each with experience in each of the following: prisons, parole/probation/law enforcement, prosectuor, social work or therapy with emphasis of domestic violence/urban social problems, victims rights advocacy Geographic: Other/general: | 4 years | No | Salary | Yes (typically virtual) | Yes | Yes | One board member ("Commissioner") and one hearing representative, or two or more members; 3 members for more serious crimes or if their sentence was commuted by the state Pardons Board. Four members must concur for a deliberation to be official | ||
| New Hampshire | Adult Parole Board | Title LXII, Chapter 651-A:3 | 5 | Yes | Governor, with consent of the council | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: 1 member with law enforcement or corrections experience Education/occupation: 2 attorneys appointed to NH bar, 1 member with “criminal justice experience”, one at large member Geographic: Other/general: | 5 years | Yes; no more than 2 terms | Salary; $30k for non-chairperson members | Yes (in-person) | Yes | Yes | Unclear | 3 | |
| New Jersey | State Parole Board | S30:4-123.47 | 15 with 3 alternates | No (13 of 15) | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “qualified persons with training in sociology, criminal justice, or related branches of the social sciences” Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | Unclear | Salary | Yes (format unclear) | Yes | Yes | No | 2; full board for some decisions | |
| New York | State Board of Parole | Exc ch. 18, Article 12-B, S259-B | Not more than 19 | No (17 of 19) | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Graduated from 4-year university and 5 years experience in criminology, administration of criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, law, corrections, psychology, psychiatry, or medicine Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | Unclear | Salary of $190k and use of a vehicle | Yes (typically virtual) | No | Unclear | Yes; through an applicant's parole file or public records request | 2 or 3 | |
| North Dakota | Parole Board | S12-59-01 | 6 | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: One must be experienced in law enforcement, which can include prosecuting attorney Education/occupation: One must be a licensed attorney, four must be “qualified by special experience, education, or training” Geographic: Other/general: | 3 years | Unclear | Salary | Yes (virtual or in person) | Unclear; statute and policies are silent on representation | Unclear | No | 3 | |
| Oklahoma | Pardon and Parole Board | S57.332.1 (originally created via state constitution) | 5 | Yes | 3 by governor, 1 by supreme court, 1 by criminal court of appeals | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least 2 members of the board shall have 5 years of training in mental health, substance abuse services, or social work. All must have a bachelor’s degree and 5 years experience in criminal justice, parole, probation, corrections, criminal law, law enforcement, mental health, substance abuse, social work Geographic: Other/general: | 4 years (same as appointing governor) | Same term as appointing governor (2 term limit, 4 year terms) | Salary: $85k | Yes (in person) | Yes | Yes | Unclear | 3 votes (majority) are required for a favorable recommendation | |
| Pennsylvania | Parole Board | Title 61, Part IV, Subchapter B, S6111 | 9 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: A bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years experience in parole, probation, social work, or related areas, including one year in a supervisory or administrative capacity Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | Unclear | Salary; approx. $84k-$128k | Yes (virtual or in person) | Unclear; attorney can file the parole application, but policy is silent on hearing | Unclear | Unclear | ||
| Rhode Island | Parole Board | S13-8-1 | 7 | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: One law enforcement officer, one professionally trained in correctional work or some closely related general field like social work Education/occupation: One attorney Geographic: Other/general: “individuals who shall also have shown an interest in social welfare problems”; the chairperson shall be an individual who “has experience in the criminal justice system and shall have earned a baccalaureate degree” | 3 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual) | Yes | Unclear | No | Majority vote required for grant of parole; unanimous vote required for life sentences | |
| South Carolina | Board of Paroles and Pardons | S24-21-10 | 7 | No (6 of 7) | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least one appointee shall have at least 5 years in parole, probation, corrections, criminal justice, law, law enforcement, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, or social work Geographic: One from each congressional district Other/general: | 6 years | No | Per diem | Yes (virtual or in person) | Yes, but no attorney provided for indigent parole applicants | Yes | Upon request | 3 (for nonviolent crimes) or full board | |
| South Dakota | Board of Pardons and Paroles | S24-13 | 9 | Yes | 3 by governor, 3 by attorney general, 3 by supereme court, all confirmed by senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Three must be attorneys Geographic: All must be residents of South Dakota Other/general: | 4 years | No | “Compensation” likely salary | Unclear; meeting minutes suggest in-person or virtual | Yes | Yes | Unclear | 2; 2 members must concur for a grant or denial, unless they are seen by the full board, in which case the majority of the full board is required | |
| Tennessee | Board of Parole | S40-28-103 | 7 | Yes | Governor | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: At least 1 with expertise in corrections, probation, or parole Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | No | Salary | Yes (virtual or in person) | Yes | Yes | Yes, upon request (costs $10) | 3 members must agree for a parole grant, 4 for some serious crimes | |
| Texas | Board of Pardons and Paroles | Goverment Code 508 subchapter B | 7 | Yes | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: No current Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice employees; no more than 3 former members of TDCJ can serve at one time; former TDCJ employees can join the board after 2 years of separation from service Education/occupation: Geographic: Must have been a resident of Texas for 2 years before appointment Other/general: “Must be representative of the general public”; Extensive conflict of interest provisions; Appointments shall be made without regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin | 6 years | No | Salary | No | Yes | No | No | 3 | |
| Utah | Board of Pardons and Parole | S77-27-2 | 5 full time members and 5 pro tempore members | No (4 of 5) | Governor, confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Nominating commission considers “knowledge of the criminal justice system, state and federal criminal law, judicial procedure, corrections policies, and behavioral sciences” Geographic: Must be a resident of Utah Other/general: | 5 years | No | Salary | Yes (appears to be in-person, no mention of virtual) | Yes | Yes (in-person or audio streaming, depending on facility) | Yes, contact form includes “audio request” | Majority vote required for granting parole | |
| Vermont | Parole Board | Title 28, ch. 7, S451 | 5 with 2 alternates | Yes | Governor; confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: Law enforcement: Education/occupation: “As much as practicable, governor shall appoint persons who have knowledge of and experience in correctional treatment, crime prevention or human relations” Geographic: Shall be appointed with “consideration” for geographic representation in the state Other/general: | 3 years | No | Salary (chairperson); per diem (other members) | Yes (virtual only) | no | Yes (virtual) | Yes, upon request | 3 | |
| West Virginia | Parole Board | S62-12-12 | 9 | Yes | Governor; confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: No more than 5 of the same political party Law enforcement: Education/occupation: at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university or at least five years of actual experience in the fields of corrections, law enforcement, sociology, law, education, psychology, social work, or medicine, or a combination thereof, and shall be otherwise competent to perform the duties of his or her office; at least three members initially appointed after July 1, 2021, shall have five or more years experience in the fields of mental health, social work, or inmate reentry services Geographic: State resident for at least 5 consecutive years prior Other/general: | 6 years | No | Salary; $55k for chairperson, $50k for other members | Yes (virtual or in-person) | Unclear; statute and policies are silent on representation | No | Yes, upon request of parole applicant or their representative (costs $20) | 3 | |
| Wyoming | State Board of Parole | S7-13-401 | 7 | Yes | Governor; confirmed by the senate | Political affiliation: No more than 75% from the same political party Law enforcement: Education/occupation: Geographic: Other/general: | 6 years | No | Salary “and travel expenses and per diem” | Yes (virtual or in person), though telephone hearings are an option | Yes | No; attendees (in support) capped at 5 including attorney | No | Three (3) or more members; in exigent circumstances, hearings may be conducted by one (1) or more members of the Board | |
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