Deck 11: Transition From Confinement to Community

Question 1

The origins of parole can be traced to:

A) The Quakers' influence at the Walnut Street Jail
B) Walter Crofton's ticket of leave
C) The efforts of John Augustus in Boston
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Answer 1

Walter Crofton's ticket of leave

Question 2

In the U.S., early release on parole was first introduced at the:

A) Auburn Penitentiary
B) Boston Reformatory
C) Elmira Reformatory
D) San Quentin Prison
E) Walnut Street Jail

Answer 2

Elmira Reformatory

Question 3

Parole is best defined as:

A) Supervised conditional release
B) Unsupervised conditional release
C) Supervised unconditional release
D) Unsupervised unconditional release
E) A commuted sentence

Answer 3

Supervised conditional release

Question 4

In order to implement discretionary parole, it is necessary to have:

A) Determinate sentencing
B) Indeterminate sentencing
C) Objective prediction tables
D) The justice model
E) A and C

Question 5

Before prisoners can be granted parole, authorization to release inmates from state prison prior to the full expiration of their sentence must be granted by the:

A) Governor
B) Director of corrections
C) Appellate courts
D) Legislature
E) Sentencing judge

Question 6

During the 1970s and 1980s, several states returned to earlier models of determinate sentencing practices, because of:

A) More conservative public attitudes
B) Concern with recidivism rates
C) Dissatisfaction with the medical model
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 7

As a result of the above-mentioned change in sentencing practices:

A) Some states have abolished parole
B) Offenders are now serving their full sentences
C) The number of people on parole is declining
D) B and C
E) All of the above

Question 8

Parole boards historically had authority to decide:

A) Whether an inmate would be granted early release
B) Whether to revoke parole
C) Whether to require parole for inmates who served their full sentence
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 9

As a result of moving to the justice model, many states have eliminated:

A) Discretionary parole
B) Mandatory supervisory release
C) Postrelease supervision
D) Gain/good time
E) Early release

Question 10

Over the years, the objectives of parole have included:

A) Providing inmates with an incentive for appropriate institutional behavior
B) Helping the offender reintegrate into the community
C) Protecting the public
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 11

It has been noted that those denied discretionary parole are ironically likely to need it the most because they:

A) Have a stronger desire to be released early than other inmates
B) Are the most likely to function effectively on parole
C) Are the most serious, dangerous offenders
D) Have fewer friends and family in the community
E) Have less education and fewer job skills

Question 12

In most states, members of the parole board obtain their positions through:

A) Appointment by the legislature
B) Appointment by the governor
C) Appointment by the director of corrections
D) Judicial appointment
E) Popular election

Question 13

Appointments to parole boards have been criticized for:

A) Involving political patronage
B) Lacking professional qualifications
C) Being based on outdated civil service tests
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 14

The courts have intervened to ensure that those eligible for parole are protected by certain due process rights, which must be observed in the decision-making process.

Question 15

Inmates are entitled to appeal the denial of parole.

Question 16

An inmate who is denied parole can be reconsidered again at a future date.

Question 17

Most parole hearings today allow the inmate to be represented by an attorney and to introduce witnesses.

Question 18

Criteria used in making discretionary parole decisions include considering information about:

A) Institutional programs in which the offender has participated
B) How well the offender has adjusted during confinement
C) What plans the offender has upon release
D) What the institutional staff recommends
E) All of the above

Question 19

While this is changing somewhat today, in the past, discretionary decisions of parole boards were largely based on their:

A) Subjective judgments
B) Extensive education or training in the behavioral sciences
C) Prior treatment experience as psychologists or psychiatrists
D) B and C
E) All of the above

Question 20

Inmates can be released from a correctional institution either conditionally or unconditionally. In that regard, select the option that correctly matches these two types of release with appropriate examples:

A) Conditional = a pardon, unconditional = mandatory supervised release
B) Conditional = a commutation, unconditional = mandatory supervised release
C) Conditional = probation, unconditional = a commutation
D) Conditional = a commutation, unconditional = a pardon
E) Conditional = parole, unconditional = a pardon

Question 21

Use the following options to identify the type of release described in the procedures below:

-Pardon.

A) Conditional release from a correctional facility
B) Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C) Neither A nor B

Question 22

Use the following options to identify the type of release described in the procedures below:

-Parole.

A) Conditional release from a correctional facility
B) Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C) Neither A nor B

Question 23

Use the following options to identify the type of release described in the procedures below:

-Probation.

A) Conditional release from a correctional facility
B) Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C) Neither A nor B

Question 24

Use the following options to identify the type of release described in the procedures below:

-Completion of one's full sentence.

A) Conditional release from a correctional facility
B) Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C) Neither A nor B

Question 25

Use the following options to identify the type of release described in the procedures below:

-Commutation of a life sentence to "time served."

A) Conditional release from a correctional facility
B) Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C) Neither A nor B

Question 26

Executive clemency in the form of a pardon or commutation can be offered by the:

A) Legislature
B) Governor of the state
C) Director of corrections
D) Sentencing judge
E) Chief justice of the state supreme court

Question 27

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-An inmate's original sentence of 25 years is reduced by executive clemency to time served.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 28

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-An inmate who was sentenced to death is spared, and life imprisonment is substituted.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 29

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-Long after the potential for filing appeals has run out, evidence surfaces which clearly indicates that an inmate was wrongfully convicted. Through executive clemency, the original conviction is "forgiven" and the inmate is released.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 30

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-Through a formula established by the legislature, five days are automatically deducted from an inmate's sentence for every month of confinement.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 31

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-Two years into an inmate's sentence, it is discovered that the sentencing judge accepted a bribe from the victim's family to impose a sentence of life imprisonment. The inmate is not released, but the governor decides to reduce the sentence to 10 years.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 32

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-An inmate earns sentence reductions for avoiding any disciplinary infractions.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 33

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-An inmate is released early under correctional supervision in the community, with conditions attached that would permit reincarceration if violated.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 34

Use the following options to identify what is being described in the examples below:

-May be requested long after an inmate is released from custody, for the purpose of restoring the offender's civil rights.

A) A commutation
B) A conditional pardon
C) An unconditional pardon
D) Gain time
E) Good time
F) Parole
G) Probation
H) Revocation

Question 35

Following enactment of the justice model, inmates are now more likely to be released:

A) Upon expiration of their full sentence
B) Unconditionally
C) Through discretionary parole
D) Through mandatory supervised release
E) Through executive clemency

Question 36

Unlike traditional parole under indeterminate sentencing, mandatory supervised release does not involve:

A) Formal, uniform guidelines
B) Discretionary decision-making
C) Conditional release
D) Postrelease supervision in the community
E) C and D

Question 37

A state has adopted determinate sentencing, but quickly finds its prisons becoming crowded. To reduce the number of inmates, the legislature passes provisions for awarding good-/gain-time credits. An inmate is originally sentenced to five years. He accrues two years of good-/gain-time credits. Thus, at the end of three years, he receives:

A) A commutation
B) Discretionary parole
C) Executive clemency
D) Mandatory supervised release
E) Unconditional release

Question 38

Even in states that have retained indeterminate sentencing and the traditional model of parole, the nature of parole decision-making is changing as a result of:

A) Moving from political considerations to parole selection based on merit
B) Reducing the number of inmates eligible for early release
C) Introducing objective prediction formulas
D) Making the selection process more subjective

Question 39

An inmate's salient factor score is used to:

A) Predict the risk of recidivism
B) Make parole decision-making more objective
C) Provide standardized criteria for making parole decisions
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 40

In comparison to probation, parole clients are generally somewhat more difficult to supervise because they:

A) Are conditioned by being in prison
B) Have been removed from the community
C) Have much stronger egos and higher self-esteem
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 41

Inmates preparing for parole may be phased into release through gradual reductions in their security classification.

Question 42

Work release involves releasing offenders from the custody of a correctional institution in order to enable them to reside and be employed full time in the community.

Question 43

Work release is available only to a small percentage of inmates.

Question 44

Inmates cannot be released early from a correctional institution until they have proof of employment on the outside.

Question 45

The majority of those coming out of prison are being released through a prerelease program.

Question 46

On average, today's reentry population differs from those previously released in terms of the fact that they generally have:

A) Served shorter sentences
B) Completed more vocational training programs
C) Had fewer treatment opportunities
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 47

General conditions of parole usually:

A) Are similar to general conditions of probation
B) Are designed to reduce the chances of recidivism
C) Include the necessity to report to a parole officer at specified times
D) A and B
E) All of the above

Question 48

Parole officers are responsible for certain functions. In that regard, consider the following:
1 Deciding which inmates to release on parole
2 Supervising inmates who are released on parole
3 Supporting the offender's readjustment to the community
4 Revoking parole when the offender does not comply with specified conditions
Select the option below that contains all of the functions for which parole officers are responsible:

A) 1 and 2
B) 1 and 4
C) 2 and 3
D) 1, 2, and 3
E) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Question 49

Parole officers who perform their functions in a manner that takes immediate and uncompromising action when a client does not comply with the rules reflect:

A) The casework model
B) The brokerage model
C) A sanction orientation
D) A discretionary orientation
E) A due process orientation

Question 50

The fact that ex-felons cannot vote in certain states, are denied occupational licenses, and may have experienced the breakup of their family while incarcerated is an example of:

A) Mandatory supervised release sanctions
B) The lack of due process in the justice model
C) Collateral consequences of conviction
D) The differences between mandatory and discretionary parole
E) The prisonization process

Question 51

Employment opportunities for ex-offenders are limited by:

A) Occupational licensing restrictions
B) Compliance with specific conditions of parole
C) Insufficient due process measures
D) The brokerage model of parole supervision
E) All of the above

Question 52

The preliminary hearing in a parole revocation is held to determine whether:

A) There is probable cause that a violation of parole conditions was committed
B) The offender's parole should be revoked
C) The offender should be returned to a correctional institution
D) There is reason to prosecute the parole violation separately in a court of law
E) The preliminary findings of the court with regard to revocation will be upheld

Question 53

The courts have recognized more due process rights during initial parole decision-making than in the parole revocation process.

Question 54

The courts have held that parole revocation represents a grievous loss which falls within the due process provisions of the Constitution.

Question 55

Before parole can be revoked, two hearings must be held.

Question 56

The parolee is entitled to free counsel at the parole revocation hearing.

Question 57

At a parole revocation hearing, the parolee is entitled to testify in person and present witnesses.

Question 58

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that, when parole is revoked, the parolee is entitled to an appeal.

Question 59

As a result of the Morrisey v. Brewer case, those facing parole revocation have all of the due process rights that they had as defendants facing their original criminal charges in a court of law.

Question 60

The problem with accurately determining recidivism rates is that studies of recidivism have tended to use:

A) Invalid surveys
B) Inappropriate sampling techniques
C) Varying measures of recidivism
D) Different follow-up periods
E) C and D

Question 61

Two studies are undertaken to determine the effectiveness of parole. Study l defines recidivism as "reconvicted within one year." Study 2 defines recidivism as "rearrested within five years." The subjects of both studies are males who had been first-time offenders, incarcerated for violent crimes in a large Western state. In terms of the findings:

A) It is more likely that Study l will report parole as a success
B) It is more likely that Study 2 will report parole as a success
C) Each of the two studies is equally likely or unlikely to report parole as a success
D) Both studies are likely to report parole as a success
E) Both studies are likely to report parole as a failure

Question 62

Two studies are undertaken to determine the effectiveness of parole. Study #l defines recidivism as "reconvicted within one year." Study #2 defines recidivism as "rearrested within five years." The subjects of both studies are males who had been first-time offenders, incarcerated for violent crimes in a large Western state. In terms of the findings:

A)It is more likely that Study #l will report parole as a success
B)It is more likely that Study #2 will report parole as a success
C)Each of the two studies is equally likely or unlikely to report parole as a success
D)Both studies are likely to report parole as a success

Question 63

Commutation of a life sentence to "time served" reflects which kind of relase?

A)Conditional release from a correctional facility
B)Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C)Neither A nor B

Question 64

Completion of one's full sentence reflects which kind of relase?

A)Conditional release from a correctional facility
B)Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C)Neither A nor B

Question 65

Probation reflects which kind of relase?

A)Conditional release from a correctional facility
B)Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C)Neither A nor B

Question 66

Parole reflects which kind of relase?

A)Conditional release from a correctional facility
B)Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C)Neither A nor B

Question 67

Pardon reflects which kind of relase?

A)Conditional release from a correctional facility
B)Unconditional release from a correctional facility
C)Neither A nor B

Question 68

While this is changing somewhat today, in the past, discretionary decisions of parole boards were largely based on their:

A)Subjective judgments
B)Extensive education or training in the behavioral sciences
C)Prior treatment experience as psychologists or psychiatrists
D)B and C

Question 69

Appointments to parole boards have been criticized for:

A)Involving political patronage
B)Lacking professional qualifications
C)Being based on outdated civil service tests
D)A and B

Question 70

In most states, members of the parole board obtain their positions through:

A)Appointment by the legislature
B)Appointment by the governor
C)Appointment by the director of corrections
D)Judicial appointment

Question 71

It has been noted that those denied discretionary parole are ironically likely to need it the most because they:

A)Have a stronger desire to be released early than other inmates
B)Are the most likely to function effectively on parole
C)Are the most serious, dangerous offenders
D)Have fewer friends and family in the community

Question 72

Executive clemency in the form of a pardon or commutation can be offered by the:

A)Legislature
B)Governor of the state
C)Director of corrections
D)Sentencing judge

Question 73

Following enactment of the justice model, inmates are now more likely to be released:

A)Upon expiration of their full sentence
B)Unconditionally
C)Through discretionary parole
D)Through mandatory supervised release

Question 74

Unlike traditional parole under indeterminate sentencing, mandatory supervised release does not involve:

A)Formal, uniform guidelines
B)Discretionary decision-making
C)Conditional release
D)Post-release supervision in the community

Question 75

The preliminary hearing in a parole revocation is held to determine whether:

A)There is probable cause that a violation of parole conditions was committed
B)The offender's parole should be revoked
C)The offender should be returned to a correctional institution
D)There is reason to prosecute the parole violation separately in a court of law

Question 76

Employment opportunities for ex-offenders are limited by:

A)Occupational licensing restrictions
B)Compliance with specific conditions of parole
C)Insufficient due process measures
D)The brokerage model of parole supervision

Question 77

The fact that ex-felons cannot vote in certain states, are denied occupational licenses, and may have experienced the breakup of their family while incarcerated are examples of:

A)Mandatory supervised release sanctions
B)The lack of due process in the justice model
C)Collateral consequences of conviction
D)The differences between mandatory and discretionary parole

Question 78

Parole officers who perform their functions in a manner that takes immediate and uncompromising action when a client does not comply with the rules reflect:

A)The casework model
B)The brokerage model
C)A sanction orientation
D)A discretionary orientation

Question 79

Parole officers are responsible for certain functions. In that regard, consider the following:
1) Deciding which inmates to release on parole
2) Supervising inmates who are released on parole
3) Supporting the offender's readjustment to the community
4) Revoking parole when the offender does not comply with specified conditions.
Select the option below that contains all of the functions for which parole officers are responsible:

A)1 and 2
B)1 and 4
C)2 and 3
D)1, 2, and 3

Question 80

On average, today's reentry population differs from those previously released in terms of the fact that they generally have:

A)Served shorter sentences
B)Completed more vocational training programs
C)Had fewer treatment opportunities
D)A and B