Parole Commission Frequently Asked Questions (Idaho)

The Idaho Commission of Pardons and Parole explains that a person becomes eligible for parole once the determinate (fixed) portion of the sentence is served, and that there is no right to parole in Idaho. After arrival in prison a primary review is done and a hearing is scheduled; roughly six months before the hearing a Parole Hearing Investigator interviews the person and writes a detailed report for the commissioners. Depending on the offense the case goes to either a Commission Hearing, where the person appears and victims and supporters may testify, or an Executive Session review where the person is not seen. Incarcerated people attend virtually while supporters must appear in person at the Commission office, and the office must be given at least five days' notice if a supporter wishes to testify. A tentative parole date still requires completing required programming and having a parole plan investigated and approved by the district of proposed supervision before release.