Penalties imposed on parole violators usually varies depending on local legal guidelines and can be based on other factors in the case, including the type of violation, the parole officer's report and suggestions, and the violator's criminal history. An arrest warrant is often the first action taken, followed by a violation hearing which allows the court to review the case, hear testimony in reference to the violation, and disclose any additional information. The most common repercussions include extended parole period with increased supervision, fines, or revocation of parole resulting in a return to prison for the remainder of the original sentence. All of the aforementioned factors generally assist the court's decision in sentencing parole violators.
The reinstatement of parole usually extends the amount of time he or she will have to remain under supervision. Attending a drug treatment program, counseling, electronic monitoring devices, increased frequency of drug testing, community service and additional office visits are possible new terms of parole. The revocation of parole usually occurs when the judge determines that the parole violators are having extreme difficulty abiding by rules enforced by the parole board, and generally the punishment is to complete the maximum time left on their prison term. A parole violator's criminal history can also influence the revocation.
There are numerous types of violations that a parolee can commit based on the conditions of his or her parole. The terms set by the legal system typically includes monthly visits to a supervising officer, restraining from drug and alcohol and submitting to regular tests for substance use, avoiding associations with other criminals, and completing any community service or programs that are court ordered. A disregard for these terms often results in a parole violation. Any arrests for a crime generally results in an automatic violation of parole, and the new charges accrued worsen the penalties imposed. All additional charges are generally factored into the court's review of parole violators.
The length of time on parole can assist in a violation hearing because the parole officer submits the case file, which often consists of drug test results, record of visits, and completed programs or classes. Any positive information available at the time of the hearing can also aid the court's ruling. First time parole violators generally receive extended supervision and conditions, but repeat offenders often receive additional jail time to their sentence. Parole is a privilege of early release offered to outstanding prisoners, and those found guilty of a violation are almost always subject to legal consequences.
