Parole Process and Commission Review (North Carolina)

The North Carolina Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission explains that parole eligibility is established by statute and that only people whose crimes were committed before October 1, 1994 may be eligible, since the Structured Sentencing Act eliminated parole for later offenses. When someone becomes eligible, all available information is reviewed to decide whether to deny parole or open a parole investigation, and all parole decisions require a majority vote of the Commission. Factors include the nature and circumstances of the crime, the previous criminal record, prison conduct, program participation, and input from court officials, victims and other interested parties. Reasons for denial are confidential, but anyone who asked to be notified learns of the denial and the date of the next review, and a person must be reviewed at least once per year after becoming eligible except in murder and sexually violent offense cases. The page also covers 90-Day Mandatory Parole for Fair Sentencing felony terms of 18 months or more.