Out of State Parole

[tiffwonder]

Just wondering if anyone has any experiences with out of state parole.  We live in Tennessee and I sent them proof that we have for 5 years now, he has only been in since August of last year.  My hubby is freaking out because he is hearing all kinds of bad things about out of state.  Like if the other state doesn't except they will let him out and then violate him and take him right back.  Any info would be helpful.  Thanks

[lvanrs2]

Your husband will have to talk to his counselor about interstate compact.  I do not know how much time he has left but interstate compact is a lengthy process.  If he has only a short time left he will need to start this process immediately.  Since he has family and a home in Tennessee his chances are better than someone who has no support in another state.  If in fact his interstate compact is denied and he has no parole site in Illinois, it is true that he will be violated at the door the day he is released.

[tiffwonder]

He has about 6 months, but is in class right now so I am not exactly sure.  He has talked to his counselor and hey says it isn't time to worry about parole yet.  Now I don't know what to do.  Me and the kids can't handle him being violated, especially since it wouldnt' be anything that he had control over.  I just don't think it seems right.  If Tennessee denies it, is there somewhere else that he could try and be paroled to in the state?

[tiffwonder]

Ok, so I am totally freaking out now.  I can't face him being gone an extra 2 years because we live in Tennessee.  Is there anything that I can do to make sure it is being taken care of on IDOCs end or anything I can do down here in Tennessee? 

[bmonska]

Do what Ivanrs said. Let him know IMMEDIATELY that he needs to start the interstate compact agreement. I don't understand why his counselor is telling him not to worry about parole with only 6 months left. My hubby's home site agreement was sent to me to be signed about 7 months prior to release and that's just for MSR. Some of the facilites are on top of things when it comes to parole which is why I don't understand why his counselor is so non-chalant about it.

If you want to do something from your end (I don't know if it will help but at least you'll get to talk to a real person about the situation) I would call Field Services (who deals with parole) and see what they have to say. Though, he does need to initiate it and quickly.

[rottiemama2003]

Ditto!!!!!

[tiffwonder]

Thanks everyone.  Keep your fingers crossed for us

[Dazzler]

The interstate compact agreement takes a long time to get finished...you/he needs to get started immediately....you need to complete lots of paperwork for both Illinois and Tenneesee....don't wait til the last minute...he needs affadavits from people and a whole lot of other stuff....you would know ahead of time if Tennessee accepts him...he's essentially asking Tennessee to take over and manage his parole...

[BoosMom]

Dazzler:  I'm worried, too, because what I read on IPT (which I believe!) is not what my inmate is being told.  His counsellor flat out stated that no action will be taken on Interstate Compacts until 120 days before scheduled release.  No forms will be handed out, no advice given, no suggestions as to what documentation needs to be prepared.  That's four months.  I've never heard of people on IPT getting an Interstate Compact agreed within that time frame.
And yet, I saw two other IPT members recently who reported much the same thing.  Their l/o was being told 120 days.

Is there anyone we can call in Springfield to discover the real story?

[fromcolorado]

OK..here's the deal with the Interstate Compact. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me. I am very familar with this process.

The paperwork can't be started until 120 from MSR. The sending state (IL) has 45 days to process the paperwork, and send it to the receiving state. The receiving state has 45 days to approve or deny the request. The problem being that the counselor has to be on it and start the process as soon as they can. Most requests do get approved in less than 120 days. They ask for a backup IL site in case it doesn't come through in time, or the request gets denied. If started at 4 months out, it will come through in time. Once the paperwork gets started, it moves along as it should. The issues come up, when the paperwork isn't started on time. Its up to the inmate to be on top of that. A letter of support needs to be on file at the inmates parent institution as well. This letter says that the people he is paroling to understand his crime, and promise to support him until he can do it. This letter can be on file up to 12 months before MSR. You can only IC to immediate family (ie spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter).

On a seperate note. He will not be violated upon release if the Compact doesn't come through and he has no IL siye. The counselor will find a shelter, or halfway house for him to go to, till he can get an apartment. You can also parole to a hotel with at least 2 weeks prepaid. Don't worry. They will not keep him in prison. They will find a place for him. It won't be great, but it wont be prison.

[tiffwonder]

OK..here's the deal with the Interstate Compact. If anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me. I am very familar with this process.

The paperwork can't be started until 120 from MSR. The sending state (IL) has 45 days to process the paperwork, and send it to the receiving state. The receiving state has 45 days to approve or deny the request. The problem being that the counselor has to be on it and start the process as soon as they can. Most requests do get approved in less than 120 days. They ask for a backup IL site in case it doesn't come through in time, or the request gets denied. If started at 4 months out, it will come through in time. Once the paperwork gets started, it moves along as it should. The issues come up, when the paperwork isn't started on time. Its up to the inmate to be on top of that. A letter of support needs to be on file at the inmates parent institution as well. This letter says that the people he is paroling to understand his crime, and promise to support him until he can do it. This letter can be on file up to 12 months before MSR. You can only IC to immediate family (ie spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter).

On a seperate note. He will not be violated upon release if the Compact doesn't come through and he has no IL siye. The counselor will find a shelter, or halfway house for him to go to, till he can get an apartment. You can also parole to a hotel with at least 2 weeks prepaid. Don't worry. They will not keep him in prison. They will find a place for him. It won't be great, but it wont be prison.

Thank you so much.  You don't know how much better you just made me feel.  He is being told 4 months is when it will be started, too.  Trust me, he is on top of that and will not let the 4 month mark pass without bring it to his counselor attention.  He had me send the letter of support when it got there, so it should still be good when it is needed. 

I was so worried that he wouldn't be released if for some reason Tennessee denies it, hearing that they will find a place for him helps more then you could know. Thanks for passing on your knowledge.

[lvanrs2]

On a separate note. He will not be violated upon release if the Compact doesn't come through and he has no IL site. The counselor will find a shelter, or halfway house for him to go to, till he can get an apartment. You can also parole to a hotel with at least 2 weeks prepaid. Don't worry. They will not keep him in prison. They will find a place for him. It won't be great, but it wont be prison.

fromcolorado:  Thank you for the great explanation of the interstate compact agreement.  However if the counselor cannot find a host parole site in Illinois if Tennessee denies the request and no other options are available, the inmate will get violated at the door until a place is found.  This process happens often.  The counselors job is to try to find a halfway house or shelter but alot those facilities are full and bed space is very minimal.  I am making this statement based on personal experience with a family member.

tiffwonder:  Hopefully the interstate compact agreement will go through smoothly and there will be no worries.  I have learned through all my years of dealing with IDOC that they work on their own time.  IDOC follows the rules and guidelines that best suits them and some families are left scratching their heads in confusion.  The best thing you and your loved one can do is to make sure that all required paperwork is submitted.