Our dedicated legal team is constantly developing and updating resources to help people understand the parole consideration process. Below are all of our currently-available resources.
We are here to help and available to respond to any resource or intake inquiries over the phone on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
If you find any of these resources helpful for your incarcerated loved ones, you can contact us by phone at (510) 271-0310 or through our contact form here, and we will mail them a copy. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. We look forward to supporting you!
Steps of the Process
Overview of California’s Discretionary Parole Process & How to Prepare for it | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides a general overview of the parole process, including essential information about eligibility for a parole hearing, summaries of each step in the process, and tips for how to prepare for a parole hearing.
Glossary of Common Terms Used in the Parole Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This glossary provides thorough definitions of the most important terms used in California’s parole consideration process.
Parole Preparation Questions | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides advice about how to prepare “insight” for a parole hearing and a list of major questions that the Board expects candidates to be able to answer.
How to Work with Your Parole Attorney | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide offers tools for working effectively with your attorney in the parole consideration process.
Comprehensive Risk Assessment Guide | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to help parole candidates familiarize themselves with the Comprehensive Risk Assessment (CRA or “psychological evaluation”) process and understand what they can do to prepare.
What to Expect on the Day of a Parole Hearing | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide outlines the practical details of what happens on the day of a parole hearing.
Tools for Emotional Regulation During a Parole Hearing | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides some tools that parole candidates can use to stay grounded, composed, and clear-headed during a hearing.
What Happens After a Parole Grant | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides an overview of the steps in the process after a parole candidate is found suitable at their hearing, including the review process, and the normal timeline.
Advocating for a Loved One During the En Banc Review Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
After a candidate is found suitable, the grant is subject to additional rounds of review before it is finalized. This guide explains how supporters can help a loved one whose parole grant has been referred back to the full Board for an “en banc” review.
How to Write a Decision Review Letter | Large Print
Last updated: January 2026
A decision review letter is an informal challenge to a decision by the Board to deny parole. This guide provides information about when and how to write and submit a decision review letter.
How to Advance a Parole Hearing Date | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide explains how a parole hearing date can be advanced (moved to an earlier date) through an administrative review or petition to advance (PTA).
Annotated List of Cases Addressing the Parole Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide identifies important cases related to the parole process. This is not a comprehensive list of relevant cases and it is not a replacement for legal research.
Parole Resource Packet | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This packet is a compilation of the most important guides for understanding the parole process and how to prepare for a parole hearing.
How to Prepare Writings for the Board
How to Write a Letter of Remorse & Remorse Worksheets | Large Print
Last updated: January 2026
This guide provides practical information about writing and submitting letters of remorse to the Board. It also provides resources to help candidates deepen and express remorse for the harms they caused.
How to Write a Relapse Prevention Plan & RPP Worksheet | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
A relapse prevention plan (RPP) is a written plan for avoiding relapse into a pattern of negative or harmful behavior. This guide and worksheet can help candidates identify these negative behaviors and draft RPPs for the Board.
How to Write a Parole Plan & Parole Plan Worksheet | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
A parole plan is a detailed plan for a parole candidate’s life after release from prison, which candidates should submit to the Board before each parole hearing. This guide is intended to help candidates write their own parole plans.
How to Write a Parole Plan if You Have an ICE Hold | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to help individuals with immigration detainers (“ICE holds”) create parole plans that account for their unique situation.
How to Write a Closing Statement | Large Print
Last updated: January 2026
This guide explains how to write and deliver an effective closing statement–a brief, uninterrupted statement that candidates can give near the end of each parole hearing.
How to Write a Book Report & List of Suggested Books | Large Print
Last updated: February 2026
Book reports are a valuable way for parole candidates to demonstrate insight and address the Board’s concerns. This guide provides a list of possible books to read and tips for writing an effective book report.
How to Write a Letter of Support | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
Loved ones and supporters of a parole candidate can submit letters to the Board to reaffirm the candidate’s suitability for parole, and to show that the candidate has concrete plans for release and a strong support network in the community. This offers tips and best practices for writing in support of a parole candidate.
California Transitional Housing List | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This is a list of transitional housing providers located throughout the state of California, organized by county. [Tip: Use the ‘find’ shortcut (“Ctrl + F” on Windows, “Cmd + F” on Mac) to locate your county or specific providers.]
Special Issues in the Parole Process
Navigating Innocence Claims In the Parole Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to help parole candidates who maintain innocence of their life crime understand how to meet the Board’s standards for suitability while
Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Records in the Parole Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to help people understand the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program and the ways that participation in the MAT program can play a role in the parole process. It also provides information about a period in 2024 when many in the MAT program falsely tested positive for opiates.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Program and Parole One-Pager
Last updated: January 2026
This one-page fact sheet provides a very concise overview of the Board's use of medical records from the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.
EDD Fraud and Restitution Avoidance
Last updated: April 2026
The Board commonly asks questions about EDD fraud and restitution avoidance. This is our comprehensive guide to navigating those issues in the parole process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin Proceedings | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide answers FAQs about Franklin proceedings—an opportunity for parole candidates who committed their life crimes before turning 26 to compile and present mitigating evidence related to their youthfulness.
2021 Changes to the Comprehensive Risk Assessment Regulations | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
In 2021, the Board adopted changes to the regulations that govern when a new CRA is required, which impacted certain people with hearings between April 2021 and June 2022. This guide explains those changes for the impacted individuals.
AB 1186 and Restitution Avoidance
Last updated: March 2025
AB 1186 made important changes to the collection and imposition of restitution fines. This resource provides information about AB 1186 whether it impacts the discussion of restitution in parole hearings.
Other Pathways to Relief from a Sentence
Overview of California's Compassionate Release Program | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to explain California's compassionate release program, which provides a potential path for very ill people to be resentenced and released.
Overview of California’s Medical Parole Process | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide is intended to explain California’s medical parole process, which has historically provided a pathway for some very ill people to be released to Skilled Nursing Facilities. Note that CDCR is no longer using medical parole.
Applying for a Direct Pardon | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides essential information and template forms for individuals interested in applying for a direct pardon.
Applying for a Commutation of Sentence | Large Print
Last updated: April 2026
This guide provides essential information and template forms for individuals interested in applying for a commutation of sentence.
Parole-Related Litigation, Policy, and Regulation Guides
Important Bills from the 2024 Legislative Session & Major Case Updates | Large Print
Important Bills from the 2023 Legislative Session | Large Print
Important Bills from the 2022 Legislative Session | Large Print
Important Bills from the 2021 Legislative Session | Large Print
Important Bills from the 2020 Legislative Session | Large Print
In re Poole Fact Sheet | Large Print
Last updated: March 2026
This resource provides information about UnCommon Law’s case aimed at improving the quality of legal representation for parole applicants appearing before the Board of Parole Hearings.
People v. Reed Fact Sheet & Tips for Filing a Habeas Petition
Last updated: September 2024
This resource provides information about People v. Reed, an important case that held that people who served a life sentence for first- or second-degree murder and who were released on parole after July 1, 2020, could not be returned to CDCR custody simply for violating their parole. It also provides information about what to do if this happened to you.
AB 2310 (Hart) Implementation Update
Last updated: January 2026
This resource provides information about the implementation of AB 2310 (Parole Hearing Language Accessibility Act), which strengthened translation requirements for the Board.
Criminal Justice Legal Foundation v. CDCR Litigation Update & FAQs
Last Updated: October 2025
This fact sheet provides information about the CJLF v. CDCR litigation and how it impacts the application of Prop 57 credits on Minimum Eligible Parole Dates and release dates for people with indeterminate sentences.
2019 Notice to Johnson Class | Large Print
Last updated: April 2019
This is a notice to the class of affected individuals with important information about UnCommon Law’s 2019 class action lawsuit, Johnson v. Shaffer.
Challenging a Parole Denial in Court
Challenging Your Parole Denial in California State Court
Last updated: July 2025
This handbook explains how to challenge a parole denial or reversal by filing a habeas petition in California state court. It includes fill-in-the-blank templates for writing a habeas petition.