Based on the 2024 Board of Parole Hearings Report of Significant Events, here are some of the most notable statistics:
- Parole hearing volume decreased, with 7,999 scheduled hearings (down 3.42% from 2023) and a significant drop in parole grants to 1,150 (down 20% from 2023).
- The overall parole grant rate decreased to 31% of hearings held (down from 35% in 2023).
- Grant rates varied by population:
- 43% for persons in women’s institutions (unchanged from 2023)
- 30% for persons in men’s institutions (down from 35% in 2023)
- 30% for youth offender eligible persons (down from 38% in 2023)
- 32% for elderly parole eligible persons (unchanged from 2023)
- Recidivism rates for those released from life sentences remain remarkably low:
- Only 2.5% of persons released between fiscal years 2011-12 and 2019-20 were convicted of a new crime within three years
- Less than 0.5% were convicted of a new felony against a person within three years
- Voluntary waivers increased to 1,956 (up 7% from 2023), representing 24% of scheduled hearings (up from 22% in 2023).
- Administrative reviews to advance hearing dates approved 946 cases (53% of reviewed cases), though this was down from 67% approval in 2023.
The report also shows how certain factors correlate with parole decisions – when prosecutors attended hearings, the grant rate was 28% (versus the overall 31%), and when victims or their families attended, the grant rate was only 19%
Read the full report here.