An experienced Texas Parole Attorney describes the different ways the Texas Parole Board can vote when reviewing an offender for parole.

Criminal Defense Attorney: Defending the Rights of the Accused and the Incarcerated

In Texas parole votes are not simply a yes or no. This article will discuss the most common ways the Texas Parole Board votes to release someone on parole. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has many ways of granting parole. A person being granted parole will be given a code that begins with FI and is followed by information that clarifies how they will be released on parole.

FI-1: Release when eligible
FI-2 Release on a specific month/year
FI-3R: Transfer to a rehabilitation program, then release after completion and no earlier than 3 months from a specific date
FI-4: Transfer to a pre-parole transfer facility and release on a specific date.
FI-4R: Transfer to a rehabilitation program and release only after program completion and not earlier than a specific date.
FI-5: Release upon completion of the I-Prison Therapeutic Community Substance Abuse Prevention Program
FI-6: Transfer to a DWI Program. Release to continuum of care program as required.
FI-6R: Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program, the release to parole only after program completion and no sooner that 6 moths from a specified date.
FI-9R: Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program. Release only after program completion and not earlier than nine months from specified date. Such program shall be the Sex Offender Treatment program.
FI-18R: Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program, then release only after program completion and no earlier than 18 months from a specified date.

The parole board when granting an inmate parole can do so in any of the above ways. Many of these options are there so that the board can order an inmate to take or complete a rehabilitation program. Some of the other options occur when the board member wants to see that the inmate can serve an additional amount of time without any infractions. It should never be forgotten that the parole votes are conditional votes and if an inmate gets into to trouble after being given parole the board can change its vote. The most common votes are generally FI-1, FI-2, FI-4 and FI-6. On shorter sentences we have seen a great deal of FI-2 and FI-4 in order that inmate has sufficient time complete courses they have begun.

The board has two ways of voting to deny parole. They can deny parole and set the next review date for some time in the future. This is generally called a “set off.” For most offenses this will be the following year but for some offenses the parole board can give up to a five-year set off. They can also vote for a Serve-All.

If you have questions for an experienced Texas parole lawyer regarding the voting options of the Texas Parole Board please fill out this secure onle contact form. We represent individuals across the state and often represent offenders with family in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth and other towns across the state. Each client we represent presents a unique situation with unique solutions. When helping someone through the Texas parole process we keep the voting options in mind when crafting a parole packet and presentation. Please call our toll free number, 888-661-5030, for a free consulation.