Parole allows a person who’s serving a prison sentence to be released while they’re under the strict supervision of a parole officer. There are strict conditions that come with being on parole and failing to abide by those can lead to a parole violation.
When any condition of parole is violated, the parolee may have to return to face the parole board regarding the violation. Even seemingly minor infractions, such as forgetting about a meeting with the parole officer, can have significant impacts on the person’s life.
Risk of returning to prison
One of the most immediate risks of a parole violation is the possibility of being sent back to prison to serve out their original sentence. There’s a chance that the violation may lead to additional conditions, revoke the person’s parole or extend the amount of time they have to serve on parole.
Trouble finding suitable employment
A parole violation can create obstacles that make it difficult to find stable employment. One of the effects is that a record of non-compliance during parole can show concerns about trustworthiness. This is especially troublesome if an employer conducts a background check because the person would have to account for their initial charge and any subsequent ones. If the person already has a job, having to be away because they’re in jail or going back to prison could lead to permanent job loss.
Loss of housing opportunities
Reintegrating into society requires stability, part of which involves finding housing. A parole violation can jeopardize the likelihood of being able to find a suitable place to live. Many landlords and housing programs won’t allow individuals with certain criminal histories or open criminal matters to live in the home.
A parolee who’s facing a parole violation should understand that they’re going to face the parole hearing officer directly. They won’t have a jury of their peers, so they must ensure that the defense strategy that they use must be based on a solid legal concept. Working with someone familiar with this area of law is critical because the potential penalties are too serious to ignore.