Parole and the Criminal Justice System
Kenneth Mowery
SOC331: Social Welfare and Ethics
Brent Williams
January 11, 2010

Parole and the Criminal Justice System Many offenders within the prison system, when released, must follow up with a parole officer. There can be many different conditions of parole placed upon the offender. The Parole Commission assigns these conditions of parole to assure that the parolee will live a life without crime or assist him or her to do so. The parolee may have to gain suitable employment, attend rehab, report to their parole officer at certain times or even wear a device that allows the offender to be monitored electronically. The parole system interacts or affects the Criminal Justice System in many ways. Are there ways to improve the effectiveness of this system? What does the future hold for this organization and its impact on the Criminal Justice System?
History and Creation In June of 1910 there were three federal penitentiaries. Due to the enactment of legislation, federal prisoners began receiving parole on June 25th of 1910. The Parole Board, at this time, consisted of the warden and the physician of the prison and the Superintendent of Prisons of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Each prison had its own parole board. In May of 1930, however, a single parole board was established. This board consisted of three members that served full-time and were appointed by the Attorney General. In 1945, the board started reporting directly to the Attorney General. Then in 1948, two other members were appointed to the parole board due to the increase in the prison population. The parole board was increased again in 1950 to eight members; these members were appointed by the president. Each member served for six years. “Three of the eight members were designated by the Attorney General to serve as a Youth