About the Parole Hearing Process (Missouri)

The Missouri Department of Corrections explains that the Missouri Parole Board schedules parole hearings based on the length of the sentence and that a parole eligibility hearing does not mean a person will automatically be released. As a result of a hearing the person may be scheduled for another hearing in one to five years, or given a future release date. At the hearing the Board reviews institutional conduct and adjustment, programs completed, programs still needed and any other issues it considers relevant. Victims may appear and give a statement to the hearing panel with or without the offender present, and those who do not attend may instead submit a written statement, call the board member convening the hearing, send an audio or video recording, or meet personally with a board member. Information may be submitted in advance rather than at the hearing, and the Board takes approximately eight to twelve weeks to reach a decision after the hearing is held.