One of the most common questions that arise about preparing parole packets is when to start? The answer is as early as possible.

It is fine to trickle support letters in to the parole office, but the actual parole packet needs to be thereat least a week, preferably 2 weeks, before the cutoff date provided by the parole board. The cutoff date is usually 30 days before the vote, so the parole packet needs to be in the parole boards hand by 45 days prior to the voting date.

However, to avoid any problems you should begin preparing a table of contents, acquiring photographs, preparing an evaluation of the parole guidelines score, and all of the other things covered in our book "How to Prepare a Texas Parole Presentation Package" months ahead of time to prevent any last minute glitches. Applying for parole is complicated, don't add a time crunch to the equation.

Remember, the budget problems aren't getting any better in the Texas Prison system and the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole are going to have to let people out quicker, because the county jails are getting backed up. This is a great time to be applying for parole so increase the chances by doing a good parole presentation package, whether you are using a parole lawyer / parole attorney or doing it yourself.