BTB

19 pages (double sided) for loved-ones of prisoners to print out
and mail into prison and be involved in this process.

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Parole Suitability Readiness Workshop

AVATAR
Parole Suitability Hearing

Line of Questioning: Insight/Responsibility/Remorse

1. COMMITMENT OFFENSE
a. Attitude towards the crime vs. Version of the facts (POR/Appellate Opinion)
b. Motive for the crime (Insight/Responsibility)
i. Past (root causes/contributing factors leading up to the crime)
ii. Present (beliefs/values/traditions: What made you feel it was okay?)
iii. Future (What have you done to prevent this from happening again?)
c. Victims (Remorse)
i. The impact of is actions acknowledged? (authentically/genuinely)
ii. Were victims acknowledged by name?
iii. Number of victims?

2. PRIOR CRIMINALITY
a. Responsibility
b. Violence (gang related/domestic abuse/murder/assault/etc....)
c. Age (adult/juvenile)

3. UNSTABLE SOCIAL HISTORY
a. Problematic relationships: (parents/siblings/spousal/employer/etc....)
b. Lengthy arrest history
c. Failed previous grants (probation/parole)
d. Failure to profit from society's previous attempts to correct criminality:
i. Juvenile camp
ii. County jail
iii. Prior prison term

4. PAST AND PRESENT MENTAL STATE & ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE CRIME
a. Minimization:
i. Blaming others
ii. Making excuses
iii. Justifications for behavior
b. Responsibility:
i. Accountability
ii. Contribution
iii. Remorse

1.

Parole Suitability Readiness Workshop

5. MISCONDUCT WHILE INCARCERATED
a. 115's specifically:
b. 128's, especially where they show a pattern
c. Understanding the nature and magnitude of the offense (Remorse)

6. INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT
a. Disciplinary free?
b. Education
c. Vocational training
d. Self-help

1. PAROLE PLANS Realistic (reasonable/practical)
a. Residential
b. Employment
c. Marketable skill?
d. Support

8. CLOSING STATEMENT
a. How can you assure the Board that upon release you will live a crime free life?
b. What makes you suitable for parole?

Parole Suitability Readiness Workshop
(6 session AVATAR workshop)

Week 1 - Introduction
A. What is your motivation for being released? Are you willing to do the hard work?
B. Purpose of course is to teach proper presentation for BPH through personal story,
life experience, and self-help therapy.
C. Addressing 115's.
D. Importance and direction in writing remorse letter.
E. Preparing for Psychological Evaluation.
F. Preparing a closing statement.
G. Mock BPH panel (requirements must be met).

Week 2- Self-help and Rehabilitation
How to use self-help therapy to gain insight into character defects, criminal
lifestyle/life crime, and how to apply what has been learned for rehabilitation. (i.e.;
criminal lifestyle: CGA; alcohol/substance abuse: AA/NA/Celebrate Recovery; violence:
AVP, Anger Management). Gaining understanding of causative factors and how to
practice articulation and discussion of ideas learned in rehabilitation.

Week 3 - Overcoming Obstacles (115's)
Owning behaviors that contributed to Rule Violation and showing how rehabilitation
has specifically addressed past behaviors. (Attending specific groups that will address
specific 115's - AVP for violence; CGA for gang activity, etc.) Creating sustained
disciplinary free time from previous rule violation.

Week 4 - Remorse Letter
Understanding the value of the remorse letter and learning how to write the remorse
letter and the importance of making amends. Confronting caused pain and suffering,
and owning responsibility for past behaviors as a necessary part of the healing process
for both victims, as well as perpetrator.

Week 5 - Preparation for the Psychological Evaluation
Answering critical questions to gaining insight for causative factors of the life crime,
how that has changed and what role alcohol/substance abuse, gang activity
contributed to life crime. Presenting proof of parole plans (residence and
employment), stable relationships, pro-social support and activities upon release.

Week 6 - Closing Statements
The purpose of a closing statement and how to prepare according to suitability requirements.
Learning how to establish suitability requirements through use of Title 15 suitability factors.

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Parole Suitability Readiness Workshop

Week 1 - Introduction

1. What is your motivation for getting out of prison? Are you willing to do the hard
work that is necessary?

2. Do you know your story, and life experiences? Do you know how self-help therapy
benefits you in gaining insight into your character defects and the causative factors
of your life crime?

3. What are some obstacles to you being found suitable for Parole? 115's, 128's and
1030's: How many do you have? What are they? How long ago did you get the 115?
What self-help group, or correspondence course will address you 115's?

4. Have you written a remorse letter? If yes, why did you write it? If not, why haven't
you written the letter?

5. Do you know what critical questions will be asked at your psychological evaluation?
Should you present verification of parole plans, support letters, positive chronos,
etc. to the psychologist?

6. What is the purpose of a closing statement? Should it be written out?