Thanks to a slate of recent parole reforms, many incarcerated Californians who may have never had the chance could eventually be released.
To understand the experience of parole, I sat down with a handful of men at Kern Valley State Prison, some of whom have since been transferred to other institutions. They have gone before the parole board or are in the process of preparing for their hearing, and offer their experiences and insights to those who may need it.
These interviews, which appear in a two-part series, have been edited for length and clarity. Part two is below. Read part one here.
Editor’s note: In the following interviews, PJP has chosen to use only first names to identify the conversation participants. Their full identities were shared by the writer and are known to us. But, because of the sensitivity of the parole-related subject matter, we have left out last names.
Eddie is a 44-year-old Native American man. He is in the 21st year of a 47-year sentence for armed robbery.
Q: Have you been to your parole board hearing yet and if so, can you briefly describe your experience.
E: Yes, I went to board. My experience was harsh, and it traumatized me. The commissioner was such a tyrant that I am discouraged from ever going again.
Q: Did you feel prepared for your hearing?
E: Yes, I felt 80 to 85% prepared for board because I did everything they told me to do in my consultation.
Q: What was most surprising or most difficult about your parole board hearing?
E: The most surprising thing was how brutally oppressive and nonsensically capriciously the commissioner behaved.
Q: Do you believe you were given adequate resources, timing and explanation for your hearing?
E: No, the resources I needed were reserved for hired attorneys’ clients. Those who could afford paid attorneys receive special training and preparation that is not available for us indigent inmates. My hearing was also advanced by six months, so I had to rush to prepare.
Q: What would you like to be provided with in preparation for board hearings that is not currently offered?
E: I would like to be afforded a fair board panel that is inclined to grant parole.
Q: What advice would you give someone preparing for parole board?
E: I advise them to hire a private attorney and psychologist.
Q: Do you believe your hearing was fair?
E: No, no it was not.
Juan is a 31-year-old Hispanic and white man imprisoned for voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, grand theft auto and robbery. He has six years remaining on his sentence.
Q: Can you please briefly describe your experience at your parole hearing?
J: I went before the board on March 16, 2022. My experience was not the best. I feel the commissioner purposefully pushed my buttons to make me angry. I felt like he was intentionally speaking down to me to prompt a negative response. He asked me questions that I felt were misleading trap questions, such as: “Is anger a primary emotion?” I didn’t know the answer and was fearful of not answering, so I just blurted out, “Yes!” There’s a lot of pressure on you in that moment. The questions should be more straightforward.
Q: Did you feel prepared for parole board?
J:I thought I was ready for board. Now that I’ve actually experienced it, I feel I’ll be ready next time.
Q: What was most surprising or most difficult about your parole board hearing?
J: I was most surprised by the misleading questions. I was hesitant to answer after the anger question because I began looking for the traps. The questions weren’t designed to see who you are or how you think. They were a test that you haven’t been given a curriculum for. The most difficult part was my packet [a collection of documents, including letters of support, that testify to a parole applicant’s readiness for release]. It was 156 pages, and I couldn’t get copies for myself. Due to our lack of access to the library, I couldn’t get it done. The counselor wouldn’t do it for me either.
Q: Do you feel you were given adequate resources, timing and explanation for your hearing?
J: Yes, I was given adequate time to prepare. Resources? No, not at all. We should have adequate access to pertinent documents. We should receive our confidentials before our psychological evaluations, not after. We have the right not to go into the process blind. I do feel the process was explained well to me by my attorney.
Q: What would you like to be provided with in preparation for your hearing that is not currently offered?
J: I would like to have a pre-hearing prep group where we have mock boards sessions. I would also like to have a group on how to prepare a parole board packet and how to write remorse letters.
Q: What advice would you give someone preparing for their parole board hearing?
J: My advice would be to always keep your cool. Anticipate antagonistic questions, and don’t bite! Study everything you are given. Be completely honest and start preparing as soon as possible.
Q: Do you believe your hearing was fair?
J: No, I don’t believe it was fair. I felt the commissioner was being extra tough on me because my victims’ family was present. I was told I couldn’t use my notes. No, it wasn’t fair.
Kevin is a 33-year-old Black man serving a 25-year sentence for attempted murder.
Q: Have you been before the parole board yet?
K: No, I have not gone before the parole board yet.
Q: Do you feel prepared for your parole board hearing?
K: No, I do not feel prepared yet. I’m still finding out my triggers, character defects, etc. I’m also in the process of furthering my education.
Q: What would you like to be provided with in preparation for parole board hearings that is not currently offered?
K: Well, I believe the people preparing for parole should be given a preparation class.
Q: What advice would you give someone preparing for their parole board hearing?
K: Don’t go in feeling entitled. Understand that this is an opportunity to be appreciated. Also put in the preparatory work, and find out as much as you can before your time runs out.
Q: Do you believe your hearing will be fair?
K: I believe if I take this opportunity seriously and put in the work, it will be. If I take the time to correct my faults and flaws and don’t make excuses for my past mistakes, I believe it will be fair.