Students will assist with preparation of a parole packet that will be submitted by an incarcerated individual to the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles in advance of the individual’s parole eligibility date. A parole packet may include narrative, photographs, letters of support, certificates, medical records, or other relevant documents that would support a decision of release on parole. Preparation of the parole packet may include interviews, affidavits, research, and writing. Students will work in groups and must be able to commit to working on the packet throughout the semester. A work session will be held in March as an opportunity to brainstorm, edit, and discuss challenges.
Organization
Parole Project
The Parole Project is a student-led internal project of the Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program. Its mission is to prepare parole packets to provide the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole with information that enables the Board to gain a more holistic, human picture of incarcerated individuals it reviews for parole.
Project Details
- Project Start Date
February 2019
- Approximate hours of work requested
- Approximate hours of work requested: 20-50 hours over the course of the spring semester, including a work session to be scheduled in mid-March
- Training
- Monday, February 11, 6:30pm-7:30pm (Jury Room, CCJ 2.310)
- Skills used
- Interviewing; document requests; document review; legal research and writing; potential oral advocacy.
- Project location
- Preparation of the parole packet may involve travel to meet with client, family members, former employers, etc.; drafting the packet can be done at the law school, or another location at the student’s discretion.
- Number of student volunteers requested
- 7
- Class year preference
- 1L, 2L
- To Apply
- Submit email stating interest, experience with criminal justice work, and writing skills to Sarah Sedgwick at ssedgwick@law.utexas.edu by noon on Wednesday, February 6