Things you should know
Anyone Can Write a Letter: You do not have to be a direct victim or family member. Anyone can write a letter to the parole board as a concerned citizen.
Your Letter is Confidential: The inmate and his lawyers will NOT be able to see the letters sent to the parole board.
1) Include The Offender’s Information at the top of your letter:
Offender Name: THREET,BRANDON
SID Number: 06768247
TDCJ Number: 01115991
This information was obtained from TDCJ’s website (http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/index.html) using the inmate search (https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/index.jsp)
2) Keep Your Letter At a Reasonable Length: 1 to 2 pages is optimal. Quality is always going to mean more than quantity. Letters with original signatures are the best.
3) Talk about how this crime impacted you and your family: You can let the parole board know how the crime directly impacted you as well as it’s long term consequences. The Parole Board will already know the details of the crime, but they may not know what far reaching impact it has had.
4) Voice Your Concern for the offender being released in your community.
5) Make it Personal: Signed letters are always better than a typed unsigned letter. Adding photographs or news articles can add a lot to your letter.
6) Speak Your Mind: This is one of the few opportunities to be honest and frank with someone in the criminal justice process. While it is not okay to lie or curse profusely in your letter, it is okay to let them know EXACTLY how you feel about the offender and the crime.
Where to send your letter
All Parole Protest letters for the Texas Department of Pardons and Paroles should be sent to Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) mailing address below.
TDCJ - Victim Services Division
8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Ste 265
Austin, Texas 78757
Email: victim.svc@tdcj.texas.gov
Fax: (512) 452-0825
Website: http://www.tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/vs/
We would appreciate it if you send a copy of your letter or a notification to James and Chung McArdle so we can follow up with the TDCJ Victims Services Division to ensure that all letters are received.
James and Chung McArdle
10906 Chestnut Ridge Road
Austin, Texas 78726
Parole Protest Letter Template...
