Prisoner Review Board

The system of early release of inmates, which we know today as “parole,” can be traced to as early as 1864. At that time the Governor, vested with constitutional authority, enjoyed the power to commute or reduce an inmate’s sentence when deemed appropriate and advisable. To offer assistance to the Governor, the 1885 Legislature created a Board of Pardons whose function was to review commutation or pardon applications and report their recommendations to the Governor. This was a three-person Board, which met four times per year at the State Capitol. Each member received $5 per day for compensation.

In 1901, the Legislature again addressed the area of early release of inmates and empowered the Governor to set certain inmates free under circumstances and conditions quite similar to today’s parole. In fact, this legislation was the first to ever use the word “parole.” The Governor was required to make certain findings before authorizing an inmate’s release under this system. The Governor had to be convinced that the inmate had served an adequate amount of time to be reformed. The Governor also had to find that the inmate could be released without endangering the community and that the inmate could find suitable employment upon release.

As with today’s parole, conditions were attached to this privileged release. The inmate was required to report regularly to the Warden, refrain from using intoxicating liquors and gambling, refrain from frequenting places where intoxicating liquor was sold or where gambling occurred and refrain from associating with criminals and unworthy associates. An inmate could be incarcerated for violating these conditions and might not again be released until the expiration of his sentence – a much stricter requirement than today.

It was not until 1903 that a release procedure was adopted that was independent of the Governor’s power. The Legislature created a Prison Board comprised of the Board of Directors and the Warden of the Penitentiary. The Board could parole inmates who had served their minimum sentences and had secured residence and employment. Conditions were attached to those releases and revocation was available when conditions were violated.

More than 50 years passed without substantive modifications to the Prison Board or its power. In 1957, however, the Prison Board was abolished and the Board of Probation and Parole was created. This Board had five part-time members who were appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. No more than three could share the same political affiliation and the membership had to include an attorney, a minister, a businessman and a farmer. The fifth member was chosen at-large.

The Board size was decreased in 1961 to three members, who received an annual salary as opposed to the previous per diem allowance. As before, the appointments were made by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The authority to grant or deny parole, and the powers attendant therewith, were vested exclusively in this Board while the Governor retained control over pardons and commutations. After a century of development and growth, the parole system finally emerged. It was allowed to separate from the Governor’s authority and was acknowledged as an independent entity.

The Board of Probation and Parole had the responsibility of deciding who was granted parole and to supervise those offenders who were placed on parole as well as those offenders who sentencing judges had placed on probation. The supervising task remained with the Board until 1974. At that time, the Board of Probation and Parole was abolished and replaced by the Kansas Adult Authority. This Board had five members, with no more than three permitted to be from the same political party. One member was required to be an attorney, and two of the others from the fields of medicine, psychiatry, sociology or psychology. With the removal of parole and probation supervision from its jurisdictions, the Board focused on parole decisions, policies, and procedures, revocation of parole violators, discharge of parolees from supervision and review of pardon and clemency applications.

In 1979, the five-member Board became full-time employees of the State of Kansas.

In 1983, the Governor reduced the Board to three members and this change was ratified by the 1984 Legislature. Also in 1984, the name was changed from the Kansas Adult Authority to the Kansas Parole Board effective January 1, 1986.

Kansas Parole Board members were appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.  No more than two members could belong to the same political party.  Members served staggered four year terms and represented diverse backgrounds, professional training and experience.

The 1988 Legislature increased Board membership to five then during the 1997 Legislative session; a law was passed which reduced the membership of the Parole Board to four full-time members.  This reduction became effective in June 1997 effective July 1, 2003, the Legislature once again reduced the Board to three full time members.

In 2011, Governor Sam Brownback issued Executive Reorganization Order No. 34 (ERO 34) which abolished the Kansas Parole Board and established a three-member Prisoner Review Board whose members are appointed by the Secretary of Corrections and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. This change became effective July 1, 2011.

Public Comment Sessions

The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City.  The sessions provide an opportunity for Board members to receive written and oral input from victims, victims’ families, inmates’ families, community members and other interested persons regarding the possible parole of inmates. Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of relevant inmates are available at: Public Comment Sessions.

Parole Eligibility

Inmates under the indeterminate sentencing structure become parole eligible after serving the minimum sentence, less good time credits. The good time credits are calculated according to statute. Currently, good time is earned at a rate of one day for every day served for sentences with a minimum of two years. In other words, an individual will become eligible at half of his/her minimum sentence if all good time is earned. For sentences with a one-year minimum, parole eligibility is reached after serving nine months.

The Parole Hearing

By statute, the Board must conduct a parole hearing during the month prior to the inmate’s parole eligibility date with the inmate present if he/she is incarcerated in Kansas. This appearance does not necessarily mean that the inmate will be released on parole. Parole eligibility is viewed by the Board as distinctly different from parole suitability.

During the parole hearing the inmate is given an opportunity to:

An inmate has the right to appeal a parole decision under authority of K.A.R. 45-200-2(b), when he/she can present “new evidence which was unavailable at the prior hearing.” The appeal must be made in writing and specify the new evidence upon which the inmate relies. Those that meet the outlined criteria are reviewed by the Prisoner Review Board so that a decision can be made regarding the appeal. Once a decision has been reached, the offender is notified of the decision by the Board.

A conditional release is the date when an inmate under an indeterminate sentence must be released, because he/she has served half of the maximum sentence. Good time for conditional release is calculated in the same manner as for parole eligibility. Therefore, for sentences with a maximum of two years or more an inmate must serve one-half of the maximum before being conditionally released. For example, on a three-to-ten year sentence, an inmate will reach his/her conditional release after serving five years and must be released at that time, provided he/she has lost no good time. When an inmate reaches his/her conditional release, the Prisoner Review Board reviews the inmate’s file and establishes conditions with which the inmate must comply. The offender is then placed on conditional release and supervised until the maximum sentence date or granted an early discharge by the Board.

The Kansas Legislature imposed a Sentencing Guideline Sentencing structure for individuals whose crimes were committed on or after July 1, 1993. This system is determinate in nature, in that the inmate’s period of incarceration is predetermined at sentencing. Post-release supervision is similar to conditional release. Post-release supervision begins when an inmate has served the maximum sentence, less good time credits. Each sentence has its own predetermined period of supervision and the inmate may earn good time in an amount no greater than 15-20 percent (depending on when the crime occurred) of the sentence, thereby reducing the portion of the sentence that must be served in prison. This amount of time, however, will then be added to the period of post-release supervision, so that the entirety of the term will not be affected or reduced. Therefore, since the inmate’s release date is predetermined, the Prisoner Review Board’s role at release is to set the conditions of the supervision period. Once the individual reaches the expiration date of his/her supervision period, the individual’s obligation to the state has been satisfied.

In general, after an inmate has been released on parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, the Secretary of Corrections may issue a warrant when a violation of parole, conditional release or post-release supervision has been established. This process is initiated by an offender’s Parole Officer, not by the Prisoner Review Board. If the Parole Officer wishes to pursue revocation proceedings, a probable cause/ preliminary hearing is conducted by the field parole staff and an impartial hearing officer. If probable cause is found, the inmate may be returned to the Department of Corrections’ custody. The offender is then scheduled for a revocation hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. The inmate has the right to have witnesses present who may have information relevant to the alleged violation. If the violation is established to the satisfaction of the Board, it may revoke the parole, conditional release or post-release or take any other appropriate action. In the case that the release is revoked, this action could include assessment of a penalty in the nature of further time which the inmate must serve before again being considered by the Board for release.

For offenders under post-release supervision, the Board is limited in the length of time it can order offenders to serve on a condition violation. For these offenders, depending on when their original conviction occurred, the Board may only revoke for up to 90 days or for 180 days. The exception to these limits is if the violation results from a conviction for a new felony or misdemeanor.  Prior to July 1, 2013, upon revocation for a new felony conviction the inmate was required to serve the entire remaining balance of the period of post-release supervision even if the new conviction did not result in the imposition of a new term of imprisonment.  As a result of FY2013 legislation that amended K.S.A. 75-5217 (c) the Board, beginning July 1, 2013, has the discretion to require an offender to serve a revocation period up to the date of sentence discharge when revocation is predicated on either a new felony or misdemeanor conviction.

During the FY 1999 legislative session, K.S.A. 75-5217 (b) was amended to provide post-release supervision violators the option of waiving their final hearing before the Prisoner Review Board. Following arrest, an offender is served documents regarding the pending revocation and has the option to admit guilt and sign a waiver of their right to a hearing before the Board. In doing so, the revocation process for the offender begins at that point, and the revocation period of either 90 or 180 days begins immediately, rather than after the offender appears in person before the Board at a revocation hearing. Offenders who have been granted a parole release are not eligible to waive their final hearing before the Board

An inmate under the indeterminate release system can be maintained on supervision up to the expiration of his/her maximum sentence. There is a minimum requirement of one year of supervision before discharge may be requested.  This action may be initiated by the offender’s supervising Parole Officer, the Prisoner Review Board or the offender. A poor performance under supervision could result in causing the inmate to remain under supervision for a longer period of time than one or two years. If an inmate’s adjustment has been satisfactory, the Parole Officer may submit a written report, summarizing the offender’s conduct while under supervision, which outlines for the Board issues such as employment, compliance with conditions and law enforcement contact. The Request for Discharge must be accompanied by an approval by the Parole Officer’s supervisor and is then considered by the Board. Without regard to his/her conduct, an inmate must be released from supervision at the maximum sentence expiration date in the absence of an early discharge.

During the FY 2013 legislative session, K.S.A. 22-3717 (d) (2) was amended to allow offenders serving 12, 24 or 36 months of post release supervision to petition the Board for early discharge if they have paid court ordered restitution.

In the event an inmate under the indeterminate release system has had his/her Conditional Release revoked and/or serves to the maximum, he/she shall be released from prison at that time as the offender’s sentence has been satisfied. The Board has no authority to set any conditions upon the release or to have any control over the offender’s conduct. The Department of Corrections, similarly, cannot provide any supervision. Once an offender reaches his/her maximum date the offender’s obligation to the State has been satisfied and the Board records this with the issuance of a maximum sentence discharge certificate.

Executive Clemency is an extraordinary method of relief and is not regarded as a substitute for parole. An inmate who believes that he/she has a deserving case for executive clemency may request the necessary applications from institutional staff. Once completed by the inmate, these forms are submitted to the Board, along with the inmate’s reasons for applying for clemency. As required by law, a notice of the inmate’s application is forwarded to the official county newspaper in the area of conviction so that interested parties may offer comments. In the event the inmate does not have sufficient funds for the cost of this publication, the Department of Corrections bears the cost. Comments are solicited from the sentencing judge and the prosecuting attorney. After the formalities have been accomplished, the Board conducts a file review to determine if a personal interview with the inmate is warranted. After reviewing the file, and conducting a hearing (if needed), the Board then submits a recommendation to the Pardon Attorney in the Governor’s office for the Governor’s final action.

Each month, the Prisoner Review Board offers multiple forums through which the general public, public officials, victims, and family or friends of an offender can comment either in support or opposition of parole suitability one month prior to an offender’s parole hearing.

The link address is: https://kdoc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kp1fBQ-QRJ6cBBBeHNpuqA?_gl=1%2Aa6a3x6%2A_gcl_au%2AMTMzNDkxNTkxOS4xNzIyNDQ3NTg2%2A_ga%2AOTE3NTIwMDgzLjE2NzQ5MzE1Nzg.%2A_ga_L8TBF28DDX%2AMTcyMzIzNjc0Ni4zNDkuMS4xNzIzMjM2ODY5LjAuMC4w&_ga=2.228035998.248804520.1723236746-917520083.1674931578

The September 2024 Public Comment Sessions will be conducted using a Zoom Webinar platform. Sessions will be offered on September 11th and September 26th, 2024. Please be advised that the Prisoner Review Board will be accepting comments for offenders with hearings scheduled in October 2024. Those interested in attending or submitting correspondence to the Board may do so by registering and joining the scheduled Zoom Webinar and/or by mailing written comments to the PRB address included in the information below. Please utilize the Public Comment Forms in support or opposition in regard to offenders included on the offenders list for the upcoming September public comment session. Please mail correspondence to the address provided below by no later than Friday, September 27th for those included on the October PE list below. E-mail correspondence may be directed to KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov

The Prisoner Review Board hereby announces the schedule of public comment sessions to be held in September 2024 via Zoom Webinar. These specific comment sessions are held so that comments can be received from any interested citizens concerning residents who are entitled by law to a parole hearing during the month of October 2024. The attached list shows the county of convictions, which is not necessarily the resident’s home, nor the county to which the resident would return if granted parole. If parole is granted, the earliest the resident could be released from incarceration would be in November 2024. Meetings will be conducted on the dates as indicated below:

IMPORTANT: Please follow the prompts within the registration page for confirmation and additional details. Those wishing to attend the session are asked to join promptly at 9:00 a.m. The session will end after the last participant/s that have joined at the designated start time have spoken to the Board.

IMPORTANT: **The upcoming registration for the September 11th session will close promptly at 12:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday, September 9th. Those interested in attending, must be registered prior to this time, as requests for late registration will not be permitted.

The following list of offenders are scheduled for parole hearings with the Prisoner Review Board during the months of July and August 2024. These offenders may become eligible for parole in August or September 2024.

The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City. These sessions provide an opportunity to allow victims, family, public officials, community members, and other interested persons to express their support, opposition, concern, or comments regarding the potential parole of offenders who are scheduled for parole hearings the following month.

In addition to the Board members, a representative from the KDOC Office of Victim Services will be in attendance at each session to provide instructions and assistance.

Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of parole eligible offenders are posted at: Public Comment Sessions. Public officials including District Attorneys, Victim/Witness Coordinators and other related correctional agencies across the State also receive notice of Public Comment Sessions. Victims registered through the Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services will receive direct and confidential notification of these sessions (K.S.A. 74-7335).

Instructions for completing a written comment form
Please use the offender’s name, number and facility if known.
On the relationship line, please note your association to the offender. Use the comment lines to provide the Board information not already included in the offender’s file. The Board will have information available on institutional adjustment and programs, therefore you will not need to cover these areas unless you have additional information.

Commenting in opposition of parole:
1. Please discuss the present physical, psychological, emotional and/or financial impact of the offenders actions against you, your family member and/or your friend.
2. State any special conditions you would like the Board to consider in the event that the offender is granted parole.

Commenting in support of parole:
1. Please list specific ways in which you can provide assistance to the offender in the community if parole is granted (i.e. residence, job, transportation).
2. Discuss changes you have observed in the offender.
3. Note any of the offender’s potential risk areas or concerns.

The Public Comment Form is provided in portable document format (.pdf) to allow you the option to download, print, fax, mail or e-mail your comments to the Prisoner Review Board.

Public Comment Form – Opposed -revised 9-30-2014

PUBLIC COMMENT FORM -SUPPORT- 9-30-14

The Online Public Comment Form may be used to electronically send your comments to the Prisoner Review Board.

Online Comment Form

The August 2024 public comment sessions will be conducted using a Zoom Webinar platform. Please note that there will only be one session offered in August, which will be held on August 7, 2024. Those interested in attending or submitting correspondence to the Board may do so by registering and joining the scheduled Zoom webinar and/or by mailing written comments to the PRB address included in the information below. Please utilize the Public Comment Forms in support or opposition in regard to offenders included on the September docket. Please mail to the address provided below by no later than Friday, August 30, 2024. E-mail correspondence may be directed to KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov
The Prisoner Review Board hereby announces the schedule of public comment sessions to be held in August 2024 via Zoom Webinar. These specific comment sessions are held so that comments can be received from any interested citizens concerning inmates who are entitled by law to a parole hearing during the month of September 2024. The attached list shows the county of convictions, which is not necessarily the inmate’s home, nor the county to which the inmate would return if granted parole. If parole is granted, the earliest the inmate could be released from incarceration would be October 2024.

**Please note that registration for the August 7th session will close at 12:00 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, August 6th. Those interested in attending, must be registered prior to this time, as requests for late registration will not be permitted.

August 7, 2024
CLOSED
Zoom Webinar

The Prisoner Review Board is interested in knowing the view of citizens concerning the possible parole of these inmates. Any citizen who would like to express comments on these inmates,but is unable to attend one of the Public Comment Sessions, may send a letter to: KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, PRISONER REVIEW BOARD; 714 SW JACKSON, SUITE 300; TOPEKA, KS 66603.

Inmates are required by law to receive a hearing when they become parole eligible. Parole eligibility is not necessarily the same as parole suitability. In determining parole suitability, the Parole Board considers the following ten areas: 1) crime; 2) prior criminal history; 3) program participation; 4) disciplinary record; 5) reports of physical/mental examinations; 6) comments received from the victim, the public and criminal justice officials; 7) prison capacity; 8) input from staff where offender is housed; 9) proportionality to sentence guidelines; and 10) risk factors revealed by any risk assessment

The following list of offenders are scheduled for parole hearings with the Prisoner Review Board during the month of September 2024. These offenders may become eligible for parole in October 2024.

October PE Offenders
(Hearings will occur in September 2024)

The February 2024 public comment sessions will be conducted using a Zoom Webinar platform. Sessions will be offered on February 6th and February 20th, 2024. Those interested in attending or submitting correspondence to the Board may do so by registering and joining the scheduled Zoom webinar and/or by mailing written comments to the PRB address included in the information below. Please utilize the Public Comment Forms in support or opposition in regard to offenders included on the March docket. Please mail to the address provided below by no later than Friday, March 29th, 2024. E-mail correspondence may be directed to KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov

The Prisoner Review Board hereby announces the schedule of public comment sessions to be held in

February via Zoom Webinar.  These specific comment sessions are held so that comments can be received from any interested citizens concerning inmates who are entitled by law to a parole hearing during the month of March 2024.  The attached list shows the county of convictions, which is not necessarily the inmate’s home, nor the county to which the inmate would return if granted parole. If parole is granted, the earliest the inmate could be released from incarceration would be April 2024.

**Please note that registration for the February 6th session will close at 12:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday, February 5th.  Those interested in attending, must be registered prior to this time, as requests for late registration will not be permitted.  

The Prisoner Review Board is interested in knowing the view of citizens concerning the possible parole of these inmates. Any citizen who would like to express comments on these inmates, but is unable to attend one of the Public Comment Sessions, may send a letter to: KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, PRISONER REVIEW BOARD; 714 SW JACKSON, SUITE 300;  TOPEKA, KS 66603.

The following list of offenders are scheduled for parole hearings with the Prisoner Review Board during the month of March 2024. These offenders may become eligible for parole in April 2024.

April PE Offenders

(Hearings will occur in March 2024)   

The January 2024 Public Comment Sessions will be conducted using a Zoom Webinar platform. Sessions will be offered on January 11th and 24th, 2024. Please be advised that the Prisoner Review Board will be accepting comments for offenders with hearings scheduled in February 2024. Those interested in attending or submitting correspondence to the Board may do so by registering and joining the scheduled Zoom Webinar and/or by mailing written comments to the PRB address included in the information below. Please utilize the Public Comment Forms in support or opposition in regard to offenders included on the offenders list for the upcoming January public comment session. Please mail correspondence to the address provided below by no later than Friday, January 26th for those included on the March PE list below. E-mail correspondence may be directed to KDOC_PRB_Public_Comment@ks.gov

The Prisoner Review Board hereby announces the schedule of public comment sessions to be held in January 2024 via Zoom Webinar.   These specific comment sessions are held so that comments can be received from any interested citizens concerning residents who are entitled by law to a parole hearing during the month of February 2024.  The attached list shows the county of convictions, which is not necessarily the resident’s home, nor the county to which the resident would return if granted parole. If parole is granted, the earliest the resident could be released from incarceration would be in March 2024.  Meetings will be conducted on the dates as indicated below:  

IMPORTANT:  Please follow the prompts within the registration page for confirmation and additional details.  Those wishing to attend the session are asked to join promptly at 9:00 a.m.  The session will end after the last participant/s that have joined at the designated start time have spoken to the Board.   

**Please note that registration for the January 11th session will close at 12:00 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, January 10th.  Those interested in attending, must be registered prior to this time, as requests for late registration will not be permitted.   

The Prisoner Review Board is interested in knowing the view of citizens concerning the possible parole of these residents. Any citizen who would like to express comments on these residents, but is unable to attend one of the Public Comment Sessions, may send a letter to: KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, PRISONER REVIEW BOARD;  714 SW JACKSON STREET, SUITE 300;  TOPEKA, KS 66603.

Residents are required by law to receive a hearing when they become parole eligible. Parole eligibility is not necessarily the same as parole suitability. In determining parole suitability, the Parole Board considers the following ten areas: 1) crime; 2) prior criminal history; 3) program participation; 4) disciplinary record; 5) reports of physical/mental examinations; 6) comments received from the victim, the public and criminal justice officials; 7) prison capacity; 8) input from staff where offender is housed; 9) proportionality to sentence guidelines; and 10) risk factors revealed by any risk assessment.

The following list of offenders are scheduled for parole hearings with the Prisoner Review Board during the month of February 2024. These offenders may become eligible for parole in March 2024.

March 2024 PE Offenders

(Hearings will occur in February 2024)

The Prisoner Review Board conducts monthly Public Comment Sessions in the cities of Derby, Topeka and Kansas City.  These sessions provide an opportunity to allow victims, family, public officials, community members, and other interested persons to express their support, opposition, concern, or comments regarding the potential parole of offenders who are scheduled for parole hearings the following month.

In addition to the Board members, a representative from the KDOC Office of Victim Services will be in attendance at each session to provide instructions and assistance.

Notice of the Public Comment Sessions and a list of parole eligible offenders are posted at: Public Comment Sessions.  Public officials including District Attorneys, Victim/Witness Coordinators and other related correctional agencies across the State also receive notice of Public Comment Sessions.  Victims registered through the Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services will receive direct and confidential notification of these sessions (K.S.A. 74-7335).

Instructions for completing a written comment form

Please use the offender’s name, number and facility if known.  On the relationship line, please note your association to the offender.  Use the comment lines to provide the Board information not already included in the offender’s file.  The Board will have information available on institutional adjustment and programs, therefore you will not need to cover these areas unless you have additional information.

The Public Comment Form is provided in portable document format (.pdf) to allow you the option to download, print, fax, mail or e-mail your comments to the Prisoner Review Board.

Public Comments Form – Support Release

Public Comments Form – Oppose Release

The Online Public Comment Form may be used to electronically send your comments to the Prisoner Review Board.

Online Comment Form

Executive Clemency is an extraordinary method of relief and is not regarded as a substitute for parole.  An offender who believes that he/she has a deserving case for executive clemency may submit an application to the Prisoner Review Board, following the outlined procedure and policy.  Following a thorough case review and possibly an interview, the Prisoner Review Board will submit a recommendation to the Pardon Attorney in the Governor’s office for the Governor’s final action.