Section 28.16 Parole Guidelines

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

D. (§28.16) Parole Guidelines

The Board has established a system for determining an inmate’s “salient factor score” based on the inmate’s:

· prior convictions;

· prior incarcerations;

· age;

· history of alcohol or drug abuse;

· prior paroles; and

· escapes.

Additionally, offenses have been classified by statutes as class A,
B, C, or D offenses. The combination of these two factors
establishes the guidelines as to how much time should be
served before parole. Section 28.40 below sets out the guideline ranges that appear in the parole Board’s 2003 rules. See www.doc.missouri.gov/pdf/Blue%20.pdf. According to the “Blue Book” page 14, paragraph 16, “[t]he guidelines are only a tool to assist the Board in meeting the goals previously stated. Nothing in guideline policy can be read to mandate release.” The most current year of the Board’s rules is 2003.

The Board will give a statement to the inmate with the reasons for the decision. If the Board denies parole even though the salient factor score indicates that release is appropriate, chooses to extend the presumptive release date, denies good time credit release, or does not set a presumptive release date, the Board will usually give one of the following reasons:

“Release at this time would depreciate the seriousness of the offense committed or promote disrespect for the law.”

“There does...