MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
On behalf of the Board members and Board staff as well as the people of the State of Montana, I welcome you to the Board of Pardons and Parole website. The site is designed to provide valuable, easy-to-use information and to respond to questions about the Board and the critical work it does.
Parole and Executive Clemency are privileges, not rights, earned by prisoners or individuals convicted of crimes. The Board’s primary responsibility in making decisions is public safety. The law states the board may release any person committed to prison when the Board believes the person is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and when the Board believes the prisoner can be released without detriment to the prisoner or to the community.
During the past five years, the Board has released 2,849 offenders to parole supervision, including a record 635 in 2006. In that same time, 655 paroled offenders have successfully completed their sentences in the community. The Board has historically approved parole for nearly six out of every 10 offenders that have appeared before them requesting release.
The Board, as part of the criminal justice
system, is doing its part by following the appropriate laws, releasing
deserving offenders to community placements, and keeping undeserving or
dangerous prisoners incarcerated. The Board also promptly returns to
custody offenders not willing to abide by the conditions of their release.
Craig Thomas
Executive Director
Current Parole Board Members
| Name | Occupation | Appointed | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Rex | CD Director | 5/01/2007 | 1/1/2011 |
| Margaret Hall | Businesswoman | 1/09/2006 | 1/1/2010 |
| Vance Curtiss-Chair | Retired | 4/01/2005 | 1/1/2009 |
| Mike McKee | Consultant* | 5/1/2007 | 1/1/2011 |
| Teresa McCann O'Connor | Attorney* | 4/01/2005 | 1/1/2009 |
| Darryl Dupuis | Retired * | 1/09/2006 | 1/1/2010 |
| Melbert "Moke" Eaglefeathers | Director NAIA* | 4/01/2005 | 1/1/2009 |
There are 3 members and 4 auxiliary members.
* Auxiliary
members
All Members must have training in American Indian culture and problems.
(Parole Board members serve staggered terms.) Members serve until such time as they are replaced or reappointed.
BOARD MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED AND APPOINTED
Parole Board member John Rex was re-appointed to a 4 year term by Governor Schweitzer in May, 2007. Mr. Rex is the Director of Chemical Dependency Services for Eastern Montana Community Mental Health in Miles City, he has been on the Board since May 2005. The Governor also appointed Mike McKee to a full four year term. Mr. McKee is a consultant with prior experience on the Board, having served a term in early 2000. He has a degree in Criminal Justice from the U of M. They bring welcome experience to the Board and continuity to the parole process for the State of Montana.
STAFF
| Name | Position | Years of Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Craig Thomas | Executive Director | 29 |
| Jeff Walter | Senior Parole Board Analyst | 30 |
| Brian Callarman | Parole Board Analyst | 5 |
| Fern Osler | Parole Board Analyst | 17 |
| John Cameron | Parole Board Analyst | 0 |
| Julie Thomas | Parole Board Analyst | 12 |
| Cathy Leaver | Secretary | 22 |
| Michelle Oliver | Filing Secretary | 7 |
| Dotsie Lucier | Receptionist | 5 |
| Lisa Wirth | Secretary | 6 |
The Montana Board of Pardons and Parole obtains re-accreditation by the American Correctional Association for years 2007-2010!!!
The Montana Board was first accredited by the ACA on January 22, 2001. At that time, there were only three other Parole Boards with this distinction in the nation. The original certificate encompassed three years, at which time the Board was required to renew it's request for continued accreditation. The Montana Board was re-accredited in January 2004 for an additional 3 years.
We are proud to say the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole has been re-accredited for the years 2007-2010. The process of having your peers evaluate what you are doing within the field and then having them find your work is outstanding by definition of the Accreditation Standards is rewarding. The Board wishes to thank all staff for their hard work in making this happen. Ultimately, it is the citizens of the State of Montana that benefit by knowing the Parole process in Montana is working well. The new report on accreditation is available below.
In the press release concerning accreditation, David Thomas, Chairperson of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections of the ACA said, "Executive Director Craig Thomas and his staff should be complimented on their professional level of operation and their success in completing the accreditation process." A copy of the letter, as well as the full report, is attached below.
Montana Board of Pardons and Parole Accreditation
letter and report 2007 
PAROLE
Parole is the release of an inmate into the community prior to the completion of sentence, subject to the orders of the Board of Pardons and Parole and the supervision of the Department of Corrections. The Parole Board is an independent agency and exercises its quasi-judicial and policy-making functions without the approval or control of the Department of Corrections. The Board acts somewhat like a Judge when making parole decisions and generally does so without review. The primary concern of the Board is the protection of the public. It is also important to note the Board members are not state employees, but are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. They do not receive a salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
The purpose of parole is wide-ranging. Most offenders, even those serving life sentences, will have a lawful date for parole eligibility. There must be a way to reintegrate those offenders back into society. Parole is a proven method for the re-entry of incarcerated offenders into society. The need to earn parole motivates offenders to address problems that contributed to their criminal behavior. Parole is the public's last line of defense against the early release of unsuitable serious offenders. It simply makes good sense to screen serious offenders before their return to the community. The Parole Board takes into account a multitude of factors when each inmate is considered in an effort to assess and manage risk.
The mission of the correctional policy of the State of Montana is to: a) punish each offender commensurate with the nature and degree of harm caused by the offender; b) protect the public by incarcerating violent offenders and serious repeat offenders; c) provide restitution, reparation, and restoration to the victim's) of the offense; and d) encourage and provide opportunities for the offender’s self-improvement.
The Board is also responsible for Executive Clemency for the State of Montana. This includes both pardon and commutation of sentence. The Board has provided the application on this website for interested parties to print, sign and send in for consideration of clemency. (You must have Adobe Acrobat to obtain form)
Executive Clemency Application
Applications must be in writing, signed by the applicant, and filed with the Executive Director of the Board of Pardons and Parole. Applications may be filed only by the person convicted of the crime, by the inmate's attorney acting on the person's behalf and with consent, or by a court-appointed next friend, guardian, or conservator acting on the prisoner's behalf. Unless the Board orders otherwise or there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as determined by the Board, a person may not reapply for Executive Clemency for a period of 36 months.
BUDGET INFORMATION
The Parole Board in Montana is a citizen's board. They are not paid Correctional employees. They volunteer their time and are paid $75.00 per day for each day they conduct Board business. They also have some expenses reimbursed. The total budget for Board members reimbursement per year is approximately $40,000.00. The entire budget for the Board of Pardons and Parole is approximately $678,647.00 for the current fiscal year. This includes the salaries of the 10 employees.
FACTORS IN PAROLE DECISIONS: (criteria)
The Board has designated certain factors as important when considering a person for parole. They will determine the following:
- If the inmate can be released without being a detriment to him/herself or community.
- If the best interests of society are furthered.
- If the inmate is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen.
- If continued correctional treatment would substantially enhance the inmate's capacity to lead a law abiding life.
The Board will not parole an inmate if there is a substantial reason to believe the inmate will engage in further criminal conduct or will not conform to specific conditions of parole.
CONSIDER THESE:
A. HISTORY
- Education, training, occupational skills, and employment history.
- Past use of narcotics or habitual excessive use of alcohol.
- Circumstances of the offense for which the inmate is serving a sentence.
- Criminal record, including nature of crimes, how recent, and frequency.
- Behavior and attitude while previously supervised on probation or parole.
- Attitude toward law and authority.
- Institutional conduct, including disciplinary reports.
- Work evaluations and work history.
- Utilization of treatment opportunities.
- Utilization of vocational and educational opportunities.
- Maturity, stability, and behaviors consistent with the general population.
- Noticeable attitude changes since incarceration.
- Mental or physical makeup; for instance, physical and emotional status.
