CHAPTER 8
PAROLE AND WORK RELEASE CONSIDERATIONS
205—8.1(906) Purpose of parole and work release considerations. The board shall determine whether there is reasonable probability that an inmate committed to the custody of the department of corrections who is eligible for parole or work release can be released without detriment to the community or the inmate. The board shall consider the best interests of society and shall not grant parole or work release as an award of clemency.
205—8.2(906) Parole and work release eligibility.
	8.2(1) Mandatory sentences. The board shall not grant parole to an inmate serving a mandatory minimum sentence. The board shall not grant work release to an inmate serving a mandatory minimum sentence unless the inmate is within six months of completing the mandatory minimum portion of the sentence. A parole or work release granted contrary to this rule shall be rescinded. Mandatory sentences are as follows:
	a. 	A life sentence imposed for conviction of a Class “A” felony pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.1, except for a life sentence that expressly includes parole eligibility;
	b. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for use of a dangerous weapon pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.7;
	c. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for violation of uniform controlled substance provisions pursuant to Iowa Code section 124.406 or 124.413;
	d. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for being a habitual offender pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.8;
	e. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for a prior forcible felony pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.11;
	f. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for conspiring to manufacture, or delivery of, amphetamine or methamphetamine to a minor pursuant to Iowa Code section 902.8A;
	g. 	A mandatory minimum sentence imposed for offenses specified in Iowa Code section 902.12;
	h. 	Any other mandatory minimum sentence prescribed by statute that is not specifically stated above.
	8.2(2) Parole and work release while on patient status. Generally, the board will not grant parole or work release to an inmate on patient status.
	8.2(3) Parole to detainer. The board may grant parole to an inmate against whom a detainer has been placed by another state. Generally, the board will not parole an inmate to a detainer that is solely for prosecution.
	8.2(4) Parole to other states. The board may grant parole to another state pursuant to the provisions of the interstate parole and probation compact set forth in Iowa Code chapter 907A.
[ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
205—8.3  Reserved.
205—8.4(906) Prior forcible felony mandatory minimum sentence. Rescinded ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17.
205—8.5(904A) Risk assessment. The board shall assess the risk of an inmate committed to the custody of the department of corrections. The board shall utilize a risk assessment instrument approved by the board by resolution.
205—8.6(906) Parole and work release considerations.
	8.6(1) Case reviews. The board may review the records of an inmate committed to the custody of the department of corrections and consider the inmate’s prospects for parole or work release at any time. The board shall notify an inmate only if the inmate is granted parole or work release, except as provided in 8.16(3).
	8.6(2) Interviews. The board may, in its discretion, interview an inmate committed to the custody of the department of corrections at any time.
	8.6(3) The board shall review the status of each inmate as directed by the Iowa Code and shall provide the inmate with notice of its parole or work release decision. After an inmate has been granted work release, the board shall review the inmate’s status at least annually from the date of the decision to grant work release.
	8.6(4)  Inmates serving a sentence that does not include parole eligibility are excepted from the annual review requirement of 8.6(3).
	8.6(5) Inmates serving a mandatory minimum sentence are excepted from the annual review requirements of 8.6(3) until such time as the mandatory minimum has expired.
	8.6(6) Department initiated review. The department of corrections may recommend an inmate for parole or work release consideration at any time.
[ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
205—8.7(906) Parole and work release information. The board shall notify the department of corrections or a district department when an inmate is to be considered for parole or work release. The receipt of notice by the department of corrections or the district department shall constitute a request for updated information on the inmate. The board shall request information required for parole or work release decision making. The department of corrections or the district department shall furnish updated information to the board.
205—8.8(906) Interview notice. The board or the board’s designee shall notify an inmate to be interviewed for parole or work release consideration of the time and purpose of the interview. Notice given to the department of corrections shall be considered notice to the inmate. Not less than 20 days prior to the interview, the board shall also notify the department of corrections of the scheduling of the interview, and the department shall make the inmate available to the board for the interview. The interview may be conducted electronically by videoconference. However, if health, safety, or security conditions require moving the inmate to another institution or facility prior to the scheduled interview, the department of corrections shall so notify the board.
[ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
205—8.9(906) Continuance. The board may reschedule or continue a parole or work release interview upon its own motion or upon a showing of good cause, as determined by the board.
205—8.10(906) Factors considered in parole and work release decisions.
	8.10(1) The board may consider the following factors and others deemed relevant to the parole and work release decisions:
	a. 	Previous criminal record;
	b. 	Nature and circumstances of the offense;
	c. 	Recidivism record;
	d. 	Convictions or behavior indicating a propensity for violence;
	e. 	Participation in institutional programs, including academic and vocational training;
	f. 	Psychiatric and psychological evaluations;
	g. 	Length of time served;
	h. 	Evidence of serious or habitual institutional misconduct;
	i. 	Success or failure while on probation;
	j. 	Prior parole or work release history;
	k. 	Prior refusal to accept parole or work release;
	l. 	History of drug or alcohol use;
	m. 	A parole plan formulated by the inmate;
	n. 	General attitude and behavior while incarcerated;
	o. 	Risk assessment.
	8.10(2) Psychological and psychiatric evaluations. The board may request a complete psychiatric or psychological evaluation of an inmate whenever, in the opinion of the board, it would be beneficial to the board’s decision. The board shall routinely request an evaluation of an inmate convicted of a crime involving sexual abuse or personal violence, or of an inmate who has committed assaults or violent acts while incarcerated.
205—8.11(906) Information disclosure to inmate. The board shall normally consider only information that has been reviewed by the inmate, except when the board deems such review not feasible. The information shall be considered only if the following safeguards are followed:
	8.11(1) The staff of the department of corrections shall discuss the information with the inmate and disclose to the inmate any factual allegations if the disclosure can be done in a manner that protects confidential sources.
Factual allegations shall include but not be limited to:
	a. 	Any statements attributed to the inmate;
	b. 	Any allegations of criminal or antisocial behavior with or without court conviction from within or without the institution;
	c. 	Any allegations of threats made by the inmate;
	d. 	Any allegations of drug addiction or alcoholism;
	e. 	Any allegations regarding family history, employment or education;
	f. 	Disciplinary record at the institution.
	8.11(2) If any information from outside institutions under the supervision of the department of corrections is to be considered by the board, and it is necessary to protect the source, the inmate shall be informed of at least the following:
	a. 	The general substance of the information;
	b. 	The number of communications;
	c. 	The type of communications.
The inmate shall be given the opportunity to respond to information.
	8.11(3) The inmate’s reports from institutions under the supervision of the department of corrections, including reception reports, progress reports, medical reports, and social information or reports, should, to the extent possible, be structured so as to separate opinion from factual information. The factual information shall be made available for review by the inmate; opinion information shall be confidential. Psychiatric or psychological test results or diagnoses shall be deemed confidential.
205—8.12(906) Interview procedure. The board may, in its discretion, or board panel may, in its discretion, interview the inmate and consider the inmate’s records with respect to history, current situation, parole and work release prospects, and other pertinent matters. If the inmate is interviewed, the board or board panel shall give the inmate ample opportunity to express views and present materials.
[ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
205—8.13(906) Case review procedure. The board or board panel may consider the inmate’s records and other information with respect to history, current situation, parole and work release prospects, and other pertinent matters. A case review may take place at any time and is in addition to any other required review.
205—8.14(906) Conduct at parole proceedings.
	8.14(1) Parole proceedings shall be open to the public except as otherwise necessary or proper.
	8.14(2) Conduct of inmate.
	a. 	Conduct of the inmate shall be in a manner consistent with decorum appropriate for a participant in a public meeting of a governmental body.
	b. 	An inmate may not orally or otherwise communicate with spectators or others present at the parole proceeding except as permitted by the panel or board.
	c. 	The inmate shall speak to the panel or board or counselor only when asked a question or directed otherwise to do so.
	d. 	Each inmate will be given an opportunity to make an independent statement to the panel or board during the parole proceeding. The panel or board may limit this statement in any manner as to topic or time.
	e. 	Failure to comply with the direction of the panel or board in limiting statements, in communicating with persons present at the parole proceeding, or any absence of decorum which could disrupt or delay the proceeding may, at the discretion of the board, result in a forfeiture of the right to an interview and a request by the board to have the institutional staff remove the inmate.
	f. 	An inmate who forfeits the right to an interview for reasons under 8.14(2)“e” or for any other reason shall not be interviewed again until the inmate’s next annual review, or until such earlier time as determined by the board, except that the inmate may make a request for an earlier interview. The request must be made in writing to the board through the board liaison officer, the counselor or other institutional staff member, or the ombudsman, together with assurance by the inmate that no repeat of the offending conduct or other offending conduct will occur. A reinterview is subject to the discretion of the panel or board.
	8.14(3) Conduct of spectators.
	a. 	Spectators may not participate in the parole proceedings. The number of spectators will be limited by the number of seats provided. Only board staff or institutional staff will be allowed to stand during the interviews or between interviews, except during breaks of the panel or board or as necessary to enter and leave during times designated by the panel or board. An exception will be made for television camera operators.
	b. 	Spectators may not enter or leave the room during interviews or between interviews, except that the board or panel will designate times when persons may enter and leave. This will be done at reasonable intervals, and may be between interviews even though the board or panel does not take a break.
	c. 	Entering and leaving the interview room before and after the interview sessions and during breaks in the interview sessions shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by board staff.
	d. 	Spectators shall make no utterances which are intended to be or can be heard by the inmate or the panel. This includes any conversation among spectators.
	e. 	Spectators shall be properly attired and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with decorum appropriate for a public meeting of a governmental body. They shall be respectful of other spectators, victims, media personnel, board staff, and board members present. They shall also be mindful of noise and behavior that might impact other individuals working in the board’s business office building or other ICN location where they may be while observing the parole interview.
	f. 	Any activity deemed inappropriate by the panel under the guidelines in the rules may result in a request by the panel for the offending party or parties to leave. Warnings for inadvertent or minor misconduct may or may not be given the first time it occurs, and any subsequent offending activity will result in a request to leave. Refusal to leave upon request may result in removal by law enforcement of the offending party or parties.
All spectator places shall be on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the rules of the board.
	g. 	A spectator who leaves during a time designated for entering or leaving or during a short break by the panel may retain a place if the person returns at the next time designated for that purpose. A person does not retain a place at the hearing over breaks taken for lunch or dinner or overnight.
	8.14(4) Conduct of the media.
	a. 	General. Broadcasting, televising, recording and photographing will be permitted in the interview room during open sessions of the board or panel, including recesses between sessions, under the following conditions:
	(1)	Permission first shall have been granted by the board chairperson or chairperson’s designee, who may prescribe conditions and restrictions for bringing equipment into the board’s business office.
	(2)	Media coverage of any proceeding which is held in closed session under Iowa law is prohibited.
	(3)	The quantity and types of equipment permitted in the interview room shall be subject to the discretion of the panel or board within the guidelines in these rules.
	(4)	Notwithstanding the provisions of any of these procedural or technical rules, the panel or board may permit the use of other equipment provided the application for variance is made in advance. Ruling upon the variance application shall be in the discretion of the panel or board.
	(5)	The panel or board may limit or terminate photographic or electronic media coverage by any or all media participants at any time during the proceedings in the event the panel or board finds that rules in this chapter or additional rules imposed by the board or panel have been violated.
	b. 	Advance notice of coverage. All requests by representatives of the news media to use television cameras or electronic sound-recording equipment in the interview room shall be made to the board in advance in accordance with these rules.
	c. 	Equipment specifications. Equipment to be used by the media or public in interview rooms or meeting rooms during interview proceedings or board meetings must be unobtrusive and must not produce distracting sound. In addition, the equipment must satisfy the following criteria, where applicable:
	(1)	Still cameras. Still cameras and lenses must be unobtrusive, without distracting light or sound.
	(2)	Television cameras and other recording equipment. Television cameras are to be electronic and, together with any related equipment to be located in the interview room, must be unobtrusive in both size and appearance, without distracting sound or light. Television cameras, and other recording devices, are to be designed or modified so that participants in the parole interview being covered are unable to determine when recording is occurring.
	(3)	Audio equipment. Microphones, wiring and audio-recording equipment shall be unobtrusive and shall be of adequate technical quality to prevent interference with the proceeding being covered. Any changes in existing audio systems must be approved by the panel or board. No modifications of existing systems shall be made at public expense.
	(4)	Advance approval. It shall be the duty of media personnel to demonstrate to the panel or board reasonably in advance of the proceeding that the equipment sought to be utilized meets the criteria set forth in this rule. Failure to obtain advance panel or board approval for equipment may preclude its use in the proceeding. All media equipment and personnel shall be in place at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time of commencement of the proceeding.
	d. 	Lighting. Other than light sources already existing in the interview room, no flashbulbs or other artificial light device of any kind shall be employed in the interview room. With the concurrence of the panel and institutional staff, however, modifications may be made in light sources existing in the interview room (e.g., higher wattage light bulbs), provided the modifications are installed and maintained without public expense.
	e. 	Equipment and pooling. The following limitations on the amount of equipment and number of photographic and broadcast media personnel in the interview room shall apply:
	(1)	Still photography. Not more than two still photographers, each using not more than two camera bodies and two lenses, shall be permitted in the interview room at any one time during a parole proceeding.
	(2)	Television. Not more than two television cameras, each operated by not more than one camera person, shall be permitted in the interview room during a parole proceeding. All components must be contained within the area designated for the camera. Where possible, recording and broadcasting equipment which is not a component part of a television camera shall be located outside the interview room.
	(3)	Audio. Not more than one audio system shall be set up in the interview room for broadcast coverage of a parole proceeding. Audio pickup for broadcast coverage shall be accomplished from any existing audio system present in the interview room, if the pickup would be technically suitable for broadcast. Where possible, electronic audio-recording equipment and any operating personnel shall be located outside the interview room.
	(4)	Pooling. Where the above limitations on equipment and personnel make it necessary, the media shall be required to pool equipment and personnel. Pooling arrangements shall be the sole responsibility of the media, and the panel or board shall not be called upon to mediate any dispute as to the appropriate media representatives authorized to cover a particular parole proceeding.
	f. 	Location of equipment and personnel. Equipment and operating personnel shall be located in, and coverage of the proceedings shall take place from, an area or areas within the interview room designated by the panel. The area or areas designated shall provide reasonable access to the proceeding to be covered.
	g. 	Movement during proceedings. Television cameras and audio equipment may be installed in or removed from the interview room only when the panel or board is not in session. In addition, the equipment shall at all times be operated from a fixed position. Media personnel shall not move about the interview room while proceedings are in session, nor shall they engage in any movement which attracts undue attention. Still photographers shall not assume body positions inappropriate for spectators.
	h. 	Decorum.
	(1)	All media personnel shall be properly attired and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with decorum appropriate for a public meeting of a governmental body. They shall be respectful of other media personnel, victims, spectators, board staff, and board members present. They shall also be mindful of noise and behavior that might impact other individuals working in the board’s business office building or other ICN location where they may be while observing the parole interview.
	(2)	Any activity deemed inappropriate by the panel under the guidelines in the rules may result in a request by the panel for the offending party or parties to leave. Warnings for inadvertent or minor misconduct may or may not be given the first time it occurs, and any subsequent offending activity will result in a request to leave. Refusal to leave upon request may result in removal by law enforcement of the offending party or parties.
[ARC 3297C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
205—8.15(906) Parole and work release decisions.
	8.15(1) The board shall grant parole to an inmate on work release status if at least three members of the board agree that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate. If three members do not agree, the board shall deny parole.
	8.15(2) The board shall grant parole or work release to an inmate if at least three members of the board agree that the inmate can be released without detriment to the community or to the inmate. If three members do not agree, the board shall deny parole or work release.
	8.15(3) and 8.15(4) Rescinded IAB 10/31/12, effective 12/5/12.
	8.15(5) The board may determine if an inmate shall be required to provide a physical specimen to be submitted for DNA profiling as a condition of parole or work release. The board shall consider the deterrent effect of DNA profiling, the likelihood of repeated violations by the offender, and the seriousness of the offense. When funds have been allocated from the general fund of the state, or funds have been provided by other public or private sources, the board shall order DNA profiling, if appropriate.
[ARC 0421C, IAB 10/31/12, effective 12/5/12]
205—8.16(906) Notice of parole and work release decisions.
	8.16(1) The board shall give notice of a decision to grant parole by issuing an order for parole to the facility where the inmate in question is incarcerated.
	8.16(2) The board shall give notice of a decision to grant work release by issuing an order for work release to the facility where the inmate in question is incarcerated.
	8.16(3) The board shall give notice of a decision to deny parole or work release by issuing a notice of parole or work release denial to the facility where the inmate in question is incarcerated.
	8.16(4) The board need not disclose a decision to grant or deny parole or work release to anyone other than the inmate in question and the facility where the inmate is incarcerated until at least two working days have elapsed from the date of the decision.
205—8.17(906) Parole authorized following work release.
	8.17(1) The board may, at the time of granting work release, grant an offender parole contingent upon successful completion of work release. Whenever the board grants parole contingent upon successful completion of work release, it shall indicate in the offender’s file any special conditions for parole and that parole is contingent upon successful completion of work release.
	8.17(2) The residential manager shall make a determination whether the offender has successfully completed the work release. For the purpose of this rule, successful completion of work release shall mean, at a minimum, the absence of any violent acts or threats of violence by the offender from the time the work release was authorized and either (1) the offender has completed all board of parole recommended programs or (2) the offender has enrolled in all recommended programs not completed and is making satisfactory progress toward completion and the facility is able to arrange for continued program participation while the offender is on parole. When an offender successfully completes the work release program, the residential manager shall certify that fact to the board in a written or electronic certification. Upon receipt of the certification, the chairperson or the chairperson’s designee shall cause a parole order to be issued and forwarded to the residential facility where a parole agreement will be executed by the offender with such parole conditions as the board may require in its original release decision. Parole shall be effective only upon execution of the parole order and agreement by the parole officer and the parolee. No further action is required by the parole board for said parole. Before the parole becomes effective, the chairperson or the chairperson’s designee may refer the case back to the board for further consideration. Nothing in this rule shall prevent the parole board from considering revocations of work release or parole for violations of the parole order, agreement, or any other provision of law, as otherwise provided in the board’s administrative rules.
	8.17(3) If the residential manager does not certify that an offender has successfully completed work release within the six-month limit established in Iowa Code section 904.904, and if the offender’s work release has not otherwise been revoked, the offender’s case shall be reviewed by the board of parole. The board may grant parole, extend work release, refer the offender back to prison, or take any other action authorized by law.
	8.17(4) The grant of parole contingent upon successful completion of work release shall comply with subrules 8.15(1) through 8.15(4).
	8.17(5) An offender who has been granted parole contingent upon successful completion of work release and who fails to successfully complete work release for whatever reason shall be reviewed for further release consideration according to the board’s administrative rules.
	8.17(6) Parole granted under this rule shall be administered and supervised according to the board’s administrative rules, 205—Chapters 10 and 11.
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 904A and 906.
[Filed 7/26/76, Notice 1/26/76—published 8/9/76, effective 9/13/76]
[Filed 2/7/79, Notices 10/4/78, 11/1/78—published 3/7/79, effective 4/11/79]
[Filed 6/2/80, Notice 2/6/80—published 6/25/80, effective 7/30/80]
[Filed 9/23/82, Notice 7/7/82—published 10/13/82, effective 11/19/82]
[Filed 4/5/83, Notice 2/16/83—published 4/27/83, effective 6/1/83]
[Filed 7/13/84, Notice 5/9/84—published 8/1/84, effective 9/4/84]
[Filed 2/11/85, Notice 10/10/84—published 2/27/85, effective 4/13/85]◊
[Filed 2/6/89, Notice 12/28/88—published 2/22/89, effective 3/29/89]
[Filed 5/14/99, Notice 3/24/99—published 6/2/99, effective 7/7/99]
[Filed 6/4/04, Notice 4/28/04—published 6/23/04, effective 7/28/04]
[Filed ARC 0421C (Notice ARC 0320C, IAB 9/5/12), IAB 10/31/12, effective 12/5/12]
[Filed ARC 3297C (Notice ARC 3117C, IAB 6/21/17), IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
◊	Two or more ARCs