Skip to main content

20131223-154440-TX

Attention

This website is under construction. Please send questions or comments to bjanttac@usdoj.gov.

Questions?

Submitted by Joselle Shea on

During the past Legislative Session, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) was required to keep the Estimated Approval Rates (EAR) on each category relative to the risk level noted on the matrix as public information. During one of the parole guidelines' revisions, the estimated approval rates were inadvertently left in place on a public document. The Sunset Advisory Commission recommended to the Legislature that the the Parole Board be required to place the Estimated Approval Rates on the parole guidelines matrix and that it continue to be part of the public information provided in the Parole Guidelines Annual Report and other publications, as well. Based on the Board's discussion with Dr. James Austin, they were removed due to the fact that they serve merely as a guide for the voting members and ultimately, the Board still maintains discretion. The Parole Board consulted with Dr. James Austin and he stated, "there are no other parole boards in the United States that provide the Estimated Approval Rates to the public." Dr. Austin went on to state that these estimated rates are merely a gauge in determining an offender's probability rate for success.

TTA Short Name
Risk Assessment Tool for Parole Decisionmaking
Status of Deliverable
Status Changed
Type of Agency
TTA Title
Risk Assessment Tool for Parole Decisionmaking
TTA Point of Contact
TTAR Source
Description of the Problem

During the past Legislative Session, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) was required to keep the Estimated Approval Rates (EAR) on each category relative to the risk level noted on the matrix as public information. During one of the parole guidelines' revisions, the estimated approval rates were inadvertently left in place on a public document. The Sunset Advisory Commission recommended to the Legislature that the the Parole Board be required to place the Estimated Approval Rates on the parole guidelines matrix and that it continue to be part of the public information provided in the Parole Guidelines Annual Report and other publications, as well. Based on the Board's discussion with Dr. James Austin, they were removed due to the fact that they serve merely as a guide for the voting members and ultimately, the Board still maintains discretion. The Parole Board consulted with Dr. James Austin and he stated, "there are no other parole boards in the United States that provide the Estimated Approval Rates to the public." Dr. Austin went on to state that these estimated rates are merely a gauge in determining an offender's probability rate for success.

Deliverable Markup for Questions

Please check the box next to the following questions if the answer is 'yes'.

Is this TTA in support of implementing or maintaining an evidence-based or promising practice?
No
Is this TTA in response to emerging public safety needs?
No
Demographic - Gender
Request Type
Target Audience
County
Travis County
TTA Program Area
Program Area - Sub Topics
TTA Source
Demographic - Age
Demographic - Race
TTA Estimated Costs
Demographic - Ethnicity
Demographic - Other
Type of Technical Assistance Requested
Please describe the "Other" type of technical assistance requested
Provide a presentation at the next BPP meeting which will include vaarious Senators and Representatives on the Corrections and Criminal Justice committees. This presentation will coincide with the Board's meeting at the Capitol on January 16, 2014.
Recipient Agency Scope
No
Primary Recipient Agency Name
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Primary Recipient Contact Name
Juanita M. Gonzalez
Primary Recipient Email Address
juanita.gonzalez@tdcj.state.tx.us
Event Date Markup

Please enter the applicable Event Date if there is an Event associated with this TTA.
When entering an Event Date, the Time is also required.

Display event on public TTA Catalog
No
Demographics Markup

If the TTA is targeted to a particular audience or location, please complete the questions below.

Prior Assistance from BJA NTTAC
No
Milestones Markup

Milestones are an element, activity, work product, or key task associated with completing the TTA (e.g. kick-off meeting, collect data from stake holders, deliver initial data analysis).

Please complete the fields below, if applicable, to create a milestone for this TTA.

Performance Metrics Markup

Please respond to the Performance Metrics below.  The Performance Metrics questions are based on the TTA Type indicated in the General Information section of the TTA.

Performance Metrics
How do you anticipate that the requested assistance will address the problems?
Dr. James Austin is highly respected among the legislators in the state of Texas. A presentation is being requested from Dr. Austin to explain the history of the parole guidelines and most importantly, the purpose of the Estimated Approval Rates. In the event, the decision is to maintain the Estimated Approval Rates, the Board is seeking technical assistance in reviewing the rates for possible revisions. The Estimated Approval Rates were established in 2001.
What type of services does your organization offer?
Please describe the "Other" services your organization offers
SAME AS ABOVE.
TTA Topic Main
TTA Primary Topic
Cover Letter Instructions

Please submit a signed letter of support from your agency’s executive or other senior staff member. The letter can be emailed to or uploaded with this request. The letter should be submitted on official letterhead and include the following information:

  1. General information regarding the request for TTA services, i.e., the who, what, where, when, and why.
  2. The organizational and/or community needs specific to the request for TTA services.
  3. The benefits or anticipated outcomes from the receipt of TTA services.

By submitting this application to BJA NTTAC, I understand that upon approval of this application for TTA, the requestor agrees to keep BJA NTTAC informed of any circumstances that may impact the delivery of the TTA, including changes in the date of the event, event cancellation, or difficulties communicating with the assigned TTA provider.

Please call [site:phone] if you need further assistance completing this application.

I Agree
On
Additional Info

Providers selected for consideration (previously 'Selected Providers' field):
Selected Provider 1: James Austin, Ph.D.
Bid: 4401.00

Chosen Provider: James Austin, Ph.D.

Archived
Off
Event Location Geo
POINT (-97.7403448 30.2747025)
Congressional District
TX35