Parole in the State of Texas

Maintaining a clean disciplinary record. You should try to avoid picking up any major cases. 

Trying to secure housing before release. This can be through family, or friends or an organization like a halfway house. The board wants to know that you have a plan for where you are going to stay.

Trying to secure employment. If you know anyone willing to hire you, you should try to get a letter from them stating they will hire you upon release.

The single best thing you can do to maximize your chances for parole release is to hire an attorney. 

When you hire a parole attorney, he or she can arrange an interview with the board voting member. This interview can last anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes. The interview is conducted via phone, web-conferencing, or in person.

An attorney can help your case stand out in the ocean of unrepresented inmates coming before the parole board every year.  

There are paralegal services out there who will take your money and CANNOT guarantee you a hearing before the Parole Board.

The Parole Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice identifies offenders six months prior to their initial parole eligibility, and four months prior to subsequent review dates, and directs the case file to be pulled for review.

Notice is sent to trial officials, victims, and victim family members.

An Institutional Parole Officer (IPO) of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles interviews the offender and prepares a parole case summary for the Board.

The offender's file is sent to the designated board office for review and vote by a Parole Panel.

A panel consists of three voting members and a majority of two votes is needed for a final decision. 

Voting is sequential, with one panel member recording their vote and passing it to the next panel member.

If the first two votes are the same, the vote is final.

If the first two votes differ, the third panel member reviews the case and breaks the tie.

An interview with the offender is at the discretion of the Parole Panel member, as are interviews with individuals in support or protest of an offender's release to parole.

Parole Panel members must grant an interview to victims, as defined by statute, upon request.

Offender is notified of the Parole Panel decision via correspondence.

A denial will include the next review date.

An approval may include special conditions.

(Source: Texas Department of Criminal Justice).