CPR offers assistance for persons preparing for the parole board in two ways:

• Preparation of a packet to be sent to the parole board without a visit to the person in prison
• Preparation of a packet to be sent to the parole board and a visit the person in prison to prepare them for the oral interview before the board.

The packet will be prepared by reviewing the institutional record of the individual person in prison and will highlight his or her achievements. It will include information about the incarcerated person’s family background and crime of conviction, educational achievements, therapeutic program participation, volunteer activities and letters of support.  CPR will assist the individual in obtaining letters of support from family members, friends and general members of the community to which he/she will be returning when released.

CPR also will assist persons with preparation of Executive Clemency petitions.  Executive clemency is a matter which rests within the sole discretion of the Governor and is granted in only the most extraordinary and highly meritorious cases.  A grant of clemency to an individual  generally commutes (reduces) the minimum sentence imposed in court which then makes the person immediately eligible to appear before the Board of Parole for possible release on parole.  An individual must have served at least one-half of his or her minimum term of incarceration before applying for executive clemency.

$500 for Executive Clemency Petitions and Parole Preparation without a visit

$750 for Parole Preparation with a visit to prisons south of Albany

$1000  for Parole Preparation with a  visit to prisons north of Albany