Discretionary Release Decisions of Actual and Mock Parole Board Members: Implications for Community Sentiment and Parole Decision-Making Research

Abstract

Parole board members (PBMs) decide whether or not to release prisoners on parole. Parole release decisions can have a significant impact on the public so community sentiment is important. This research investigates whether actual PBMs make different release decisions than mock PBMs (college students). Participants decided whether to grant parole to a mock prisoner. Participants listed the factors that influenced their decision and their perceptions of the offender. As compared to mock PBMs, actual PBMs were more likely to deny parole, especially when perceptions of the inmate were controlled. Even so, actual PBMs perceived the prisoner as more likable and credible than mock PBMs. Findings may result from the different experiences, knowledge, and attributions that actual and mock PBMs make. Findings suggest mock PBMs may not be adequate proxies for studying PBM decision-making. When adopting parole guidelines, correction authorities should also take into account factors mock PBMs considered important.