Awakening the sleeping giant: the future of paroling authorities in America

ABSTRACT Discretionary paroling authorities often remain in the background of discussions about sentencing and correctional reform. However, they are key decision-makers who are poised to serve as gatekeepers to reentry and reincarceration given their authority to release offenders, set supervision conditions and revoke post-release supervision. By virtue of their function and place within the correctional continuum they are also well-positioned to act as a check and balance within that continuum. This article builds upon the idea first offered by Paparozzi and Guy (2009) that parole boards’ discretionary decisions, if properly constituted, can serve as a lynchpin to sound correctional practice. We advance this argument by further arguing that paroling authorities are indispensable feedback loops to correctional agency leaders regarding how policy translates into practice and how practice impacts policy, especially the adoption and use of evidence-based practices as they pertain to reentry and reincarceration.