Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Ohio Parole Board

The Ohio Parole Board consists of nine members whose primary duty entails conducting release consideration hearings on all parole eligible inmates. These hearings are held every month at each institution, with a parole board member conducting a personal interview with each parole eligible inmate. If parole is denied at the initial hearing, the Parole Board establishes a future release date or a subsequent hearing date. In making release decisions, the board is mandated by Administrative Regulation 5120:1-1-07 to consider certain factors. In addition it utilizes a guideline system that assists in determining release suitability.

The Board also participates in offender conference and victim conference days each month, providing victims and/or their representatives and offender families and/or their representatives an opportunity to exchange information with the Parole Board prior to an inmate’s release consideration hearing.

The outcome of all parole hearings is public information; however, prior to July 1, 1996, parole release hearings and deliberations were closed to the public. Effective July 1, 1996, Senate Bill 2 also created Full Board Open Hearings which permitted participation in a hearing upon acceptance of a petition made through the Office of Victim Services. Full board hearings are held in those cases where an offender has been granted a release date and the victim, victim’s family member or representative petitions the Board in opposition to the decision. Petitions for a full board hearing for offenders serving a sentence for Aggravated Murder or Murder shall receive a full board hearing as mandated by Ohio Revised Code 2967.12.

The board also considers applications for clemency in the form of a pardon, commutation or reprieve. All applications are reviewed and examined by the Board to determine the propriety of clemency, with a recommendation being forwarded to the Governor. Executive clemency can only be granted by the Governor.

Additional Duties

Effective July 1, 1996, Senate Bill 2, the "truth in sentencing" legislation, made some changes affecting the Parole Board. Inmates convicted prior to July 1, 1996 continue to be reviewed on all indeterminate sentences for the propriety of release to the community. All offenders who commit crimes after July 1, 1996, are released at the end of their determinate sentences. The Parole Board assesses these offenders for placement on post release control supervision upon their release from prison. This duty of the board is performed by its staff of hearing officers.

The hearing officers also conduct release violation hearings when offenders on either parole or post release control violate the conditions of supervision and a return to the institution is sought by the Adult Parole Authority. These hearings are conducted in the various county jails and Adult Parole Authority offices throughout the state.

[Parole Board Monthly Reports]

Conditions of Supervision

The Parole Board can impose special conditions for an offender approved for release on parole, transitional control or post release control such as treatment/programming conditions, residency in a halfway house and drug testing. Parole Officers can add any justifiable condition to the Board’s requirements with the approval of their supervisor. Parole Officers cannot rescind any condition placed on the offender by the Parole Board without the Board’s approval.

Offender Conference

One day each month is scheduled for offenders’ families to meet with Parole Board staff. The conferences afford interested parties the opportunity to exchange information with the Parole Board prior to the inmate’s hearing.

To request an offender conference, please contact the Parole Board at 614-752-1200.

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