List of Books for Book Reports

Parole Packets that are submitted to the parole board often contain book reports. This is a list of books and topics they cover. Book reports are also important to have in the Parole Packet when there aren’t any groups or programs available at your loved one’s institution.

Psychology Evaluation and Personality Disorders

The personality disorders listed here from Wikipedia and Life Support Alliance explain some of the disorders diagnosed in psychological evaluations. It’s important to understand them to know what you’re up against at the parole hearing. Also, included from the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition is an FAQ sheet and information about the Psychological Evaluation process.

Handbook for Immigrants Inside Prison

This handbook, written by Asian Prisoner Support Committee and Asian Americans Advancing Justice gives important information and insight into preparing for parole with a deportation hold. It also contains general information on release from ICE detention and all the legal challenges associated with an ICE detention hold.

Families United to End LWOP (FUEL) Commutation Application Guide

This document is intended to support incarcerated people and advocates to prepare commutation applications to submit to the California Governor’s office. It contains information on all the steps necessary to submit a commutation application. 

Support Letter Samples

Here you will find samples of actual support letters that have been redacted. There are letters from friends, family, pastors and sponsors.You will also find Life Support Alliance’s Support Letter Tips.

Cell Phone Essay

This is a sample of writing that addresses write-ups for cell phone use and how to talk about them at the parole board.

10 Lessons of Self-Care

This is an adaptation of Ava Schlesinger’s 10 lessons of self-care. In preparing for the parole board, or supporting a loved one who is incarcerated, it is important to take care of yourself. These lessons give great examples of how to do that.

Causative Factors

This covers thinking, emotions, behavior and core beliefs stemming from traumatic experiences. Understanding these traumas and causative factors help develop what the parole board calls “insight”.

Life Story

This is the life story from an actual parole packet. Permission has been given to share the redacted version of it. It can be used as a guide as to what goes into writing a life story for the parole packet.

List of Transitional Housing

This is Life Support Alliance’s list of transitional housing. Your loved one can write to request to be accepted into their programs and receive an acceptance letter that will go in the parole packet and will be a great addition to the Parole Plans section.

Relapse Prevention Plan and Parole plans

This is a sample of a relapse prevention plan and parole plans. The relapse portion covers triggers, coping skills and writings on how to stay vigilant against relapse. The Parole plans show you how to write out viable parole plans to present to the parole board.

Study Process

This study process was written by our Program Manager, Philip Melendez after he was found suitable for parole. To answer the flood of questions on how he was found suitable for parole, he wrote out a detailed outline of all the steps he took to prepare for the parole hearing.

Table of Contents

This is a table of contents from a parole packet. It can be used as a checklist of what needs to be in the parole packet. It is by no means the complete list of what should be included, however, it gives a great example of where to start.

What Makes an Apology Work

This is an adapted version of what makes an apology work by Dr. Aaron Lazare. It is useful in writing apology letters to victims, survivors, and anyone impacted by harm.

People Who Were Sentenced as Youth Parole Guide

This guide was written by Elizabeth Calvin at Human Rights Watch and gives insight into the parole process for people sentenced as youth as defined by SB 260, SB 261, and AB 1308.