Q The Texas Parole Board denied parole, does that mean an Texas prison inmate will definitely be paroled on the mandatory supervision date?
The term mandatory supervision, sometimes referred to as “short-way,” is misleading. The phrase refers to a time prior to 1996 when offenders whose calendar time and good time was equal to their sentence would be released. During that time as long as the inmate qualified for mandatory supervision they were released. Today, mandatory supervision is discretionary. The board, just as in regular parole reviews, has complete discretion to release the inmate to supervision or deny it. They can deny release on mandatory supervision if they conclude that the good conduct time accrued by the inmate is not an accurate reflection of their rehabilitation and that releasing the inmate would endanger the public. Although the strong language regarding releasing inmates who qualify for mandatory supervision exists in the statute the language of the law is broad and for practical purposes gives parole board the same level of discretion they have in making any decision regarding whether or not to parole any Texas inmate. On short TDCJ sentences an inmate’s mandatory supervision date is often only a short time after their initial eligibility date. We can represent an offender at their mandatory supervision review. We will meet with the client, their family, and review relevant information in order to convince the parole board our client should be released on supervision.
Topek and Topek is experienced in handling and answering questions regarding mandatory supervision and any other questions you may have regarding parole in Texas. Please call us at 888-661-5030 or contact us with questions regarding mandatory supervision or if you need an attorney to represent an inmate eligible for mandatory supervision.
