**Support Letters For The Parole File **
If you’re reading this,yes I’m asking for your help to come home. I need “You” to write a”Support Letter” on my behalf. This is one of the major factors the parole board will determine whether they’ll release me an let me come home.
** What Is A Letter For Support **
Letters of support are evidence that the offender will have a network of friends and family to help when he is released.
They show: 1. Somebody knows the prisoner and cares 2.Someone will help when he gets out 3.The good side of the prisoner and thus help balance the bad side which appears in his or her criminal record 4.The prisoner has free world input while in prison
**Who Writes Support Letters **
1.You, family members, close friends, and loved ones 2.Relatives, aunts, uncles, and grandparents 3.Respected members of the community, such as businessmen and businesswomen 4.Prospective employers, schoolteachers, religious teachers, students, counselors, etc.5.The prisoner’s Supervisors or other people who have known him while in prison
**How Many Support Letters **
Keep sending support letters regularly, not just at the parole interview date. This shows consistency and active support and let’s the Parole Board know that you’ll stick by the prisoner after release.
**What To Say **
1.State your name,age, and occupation. If you have been on the current job for a number of years, state the number of years you have been similarly employed 2.State your relationship with the prisoner and the length you have known him 3.Your belief that, despite his mistake, he is a good person and the reason you feel this way 4.Your belief that the offender will be useful and law abiding citizen if given the opportunity. You may describe improvements in the prisoner’s attitude, behavior, or efforts he/she has made to improve him/her. If you will provide housing, give the address and phone number if you have one. Also mention other kinds of help you can provide, for instance, clothing, transportation,or just spending time with the offender doing something positive and worthwhile and offering advice and encouragement.
**Outline Of The Suggested Things To Cover In The Letter **
Salutation:
Dept.of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Att: Adult Parole Authority
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH43222
Phone #(614)752-1200 or toll- free 888-344-1441,Fax #(614)752-0600
Dear Parole Board Member
**First Paragraph **
State your name, age, and occupation. If you have been on the same job for a number of years, state the number of years
**Second Paragraph **
State your relationship with him (friend,relative, teacher, coworker etc.)
**Third Paragraph **
Your belief that the offender will be useful and law abiding citizen if given the opportunity despite his mistakes he is a good person.You may describe improvements in the prisoner’s attitude, behavior, or efforts he has made to improve him(education, treatment programs)
**Fourth Paragraph **
Your willingness to be supportive and how, e.g.if you will provide housing, give address and phone number, one transportation, job offer.
**Addition suggestions**
1.If you or someone you know has written support letters in the past, make copies and include them with the parole packet 2.Any information and/or photocopies of awards or achievements your loved ones may have achieved whole incarcerated 4.Write out “game plan”.Tell the board what job opportunities are in the area 4.Make a copy of packet and send to loved ones. Your loved one should write a similar type packet. He should present the packet(s) to the person who comes to interview at the parole time. It makes a better impression when they have obviously made preparations for their future, as well as having a source from the outside that cared enough to put together a presentation packet as well.
Website: www. drc.ohio. gov/web/parboard. htm
**Office Of Victim Services**
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222
phone #(614)728-1976 or toll-free 888-842-8464
Jason Lamar Ferguson (#A408970) Your opinion matters thank you. You can see my some of achievements, and programs on my facebook page.
Jason Lamar Ferguson
DOC #A408970
