While our book, How to Prepare a Texas Parole Presentation Package, goes into the process and requirements in detail, several people have asked about other parole letters and packets on the internet and we thought we would take this chance to discuss them.

The important thing to remember about a parole packet is that it may be the only chance the voting members have to see anything personal about the offender. We know their files contain letters from the DA, police reports, prison records, and sometimes letters from the "victims". Along with that is a copy of the photo taken with their freshly shaved head as they entered the TDC system. The parole packet is your (and their) best chance to make their file stand out from the hundreds of other files being reviewed.

With this in mind, any type of parole packet, done with common sense and good taste, is better than none. Using one of the support letters floating around the internet is definitely better than nothing, as is relying on the parole packet examples floating around the web.

The best choice, almost always, is to hire a lawyer to assist you. They know what the parole board is looking for and how it needs to be presented. For those of you who have limited resources and can't afford the $2500 fee which seems to be the norm, we feel our method, and our ebook, runs a close second. It was developed by a former attorney and a psychology professional with specific goals in mind.

However, even a basic, heartfelt letter from the family, a few pictures, and a letter from the offender may make a difference. The worst thing to do is nothing, hoping for the good nature of the Parole Board to help you.

It won't.