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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Parole Process

    Learn more about the parole process in Pennsylvania.  

    Overview

    Parole is the conditional release of an inmate from incarceration to continue serving the balance of his or her sentence under supervision within the community. Parole is a privilege, not a right; it is not automatic or guaranteed. It may be revoked for violations of the conditions of parole or for new criminal convictions.

    Parole is the release of an inmate from prison prior to his or her sentence’s maximum date, but after the minimum sentence date, to continue serving the balance of the sentence under supervision in the community. 

    View a PDF of the parole process

    Parole in Pennsylvania 

    Parole is the release of an inmate from prison prior to his or her sentence’s maximum date, but after the minimum sentence date, to continue serving the balance of the sentence under supervision in the community. 

    Minimum and maximum sentence dates are calculated by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC). The minimum sentence date is a parole eligibility date, not a guaranteed release date. Pennsylvania inmates are not required to serve 85% of their maximum sentence to be released on parole.

    Board of Pardons

    Parole is different from a pardon or a commutation. The Governor may grant a pardon or commutation if the Board of Pardons, which is separate from the Parole Board, recommends that one be granted. The Board does not have the authority to parole from sentences of life imprisonment or death.

    Types of parole 

    There are four types of parole based on the specifics of an individual’s case. 

    1. Majority Vote Offenses: The majority of the Parole Board Members must vote YES for the person to be paroled. Typically, these cases take longer for a Board Decision because of the individual reviews that must be done by multiple Board Members to reach a majority of positive votes to parole.
    2. Panel Offenses: Individuals need two YES votes from a panel of Parole Board Decision Makers. A Panel consists of either two Board Members or one Board Member and one Hearing Examiner, empowered to make parole release decisions and recommitment decisions.
    3. Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive (RRRI): RRRI-eligible inmates may be paroled if they receive a YES vote from a Hearing Examiner.
    4. Short Sentence Parole (SSP): SSP-eligible inmates may be paroled if they receive a YES vote from a Hearing Examiner. 
    Learn more about the specifics of parole violations

    Field supervision 

    Once parole is granted, supervision is under the jurisdiction of the PA Department of Corrections. For more information about parole supervision, visit the Department of Corrections.