Parole Overview and the Parole Interview Process (Pennsylvania)

The Pennsylvania Parole Board describes the parole interview process and lists the factors it must consider under section 6135(a) of the Parole Code: the nature and circumstances of the offense, recommendations from the trial judge and prosecuting attorney, the person's general character and background, participation in a victim impact education program for certain post-February 1999 crime-of-violence sentences, written or personal victim statements submitted under section 6140, sentencing hearing testimony notes, and the person's conduct in prison together with their physical, mental and behavioral history, family violence history and complete criminal record. The page notes that some parole types such as Short Sentence Parole do not require an interview. If parole is initially denied, a written parole application may be submitted on the official Parole Application Form PB 41 and mailed to the Board's RAO Office in Harrisburg, though the Board is not required to consider an application filed six months before the minimum sentence date or within the periods set after a recorded Board Action under 61 Pa.C.S. section 6139.