Factors Considered by the Delaware Board of Parole

The Board, in reviewing cases for parole, considers whether a reasonable probability exists that the person can be released without detriment to the community or him/herself. The Board also assesses whether parole supervision would be in the best interest of society and an aid to the rehabilitation of the offender as a law-abiding citizen. Factors used in parole decision-making and in deciding recommendations to the Courts and the Board of Pardons for sentence modification or commutation include:

Risk: Prior criminal history; prior performance under supervision; indications of violent behavior while incarcerated and criminal history offense patterns that suggest the individual is displaying a chronic disregard for the safety of the community.

Rehabilitative Efforts: The extent to which the offender has participated in rehabilitative efforts to address the issues that lead to imprisonment (e.g., substance abuse addiction, violence-proneness, sexual deviancy); the extent to which the offender utilized his/her time to improve education, vocational skills or work habits.

Other: Input from prison counselors, the victim, treatment providers and other individuals or groups (including but not limited to the Attorney General, the offender’s attorney, victim/offender groups, police agencies, family members and the community); institutional conduct, including attitude towards correctional and treatment staff.