How do you get a parole hearing?

Parole is the serving of part of your sentence under supervision in the community. The law says that the Parole Commission may grant parole if (a) the inmate has substantially observed the rules of the institution; (b) release would not depreciate the seriousness of the offense or promote disrespect for the law; and (c) release would not jeopardize the public welfare. Parole has a three-fold purpose: (1) through the assistance of the Probation Officer, a parolee may obtain help with problems concerning employment, residence, finances, or other personal problems which often trouble a person trying to adjust to life upon release from prison; (2) parole protects society because it helps former prisoners get established in the community and thus prevents many situations in which they might commit a new offense; and (3) parole prevents needless imprisonment of those who are not likely to commit further crime and who meet the criteria for parole set forth in the answer to Question 1. While in the community, supervision will be oriented toward reintegrating the offender as a productive member of society. You become "eligible" for parole according to the type of sentence you received from the court. Your "parole eligibility" date is the earliest time you might be paroled. If the Parole Commission decides to parole you it will set the date of your release, but that date must be on or after your "eligibility" date.