I3 II Office of the Governor 8/26/80 MEMO____________. j et410 - To: Governor William P ements, Jr. From: David A. Dea RE: Parole Board Revisions hi!! Austin, Texas 78711 Phone (512) 475-3021 The attached materials deal with statutory changes regarding the Board of Pardons and Paroles. It accomplishes the following: (1) allows you to designate Chairman and Vice Chairman of Board. They are currently elected for a two year term by the three members themselves. (2) the six Parole Commissioners would become employees of the Board and subject to the Board's direction and control. They are currently appointed by the Governor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals. They are currently state officials and accountable to no one. This lack of accountability has been a major cause of the problems the Board has had to deal with over the past several years. (3) creation of the position of Executive Director of the Board of Pardons and Paroles who would be responsible for running the agency. (4) increased statutory emphasis on the use of restitution of the victim as a condition for parole and the increased use of halfway houses for parolees instead of paroling to a poor environment. The attached Memo, dated 8-25-80, outlines procedures we will follow in coordinating these changes after you have approved this legislation. Paul Wrotenbery and his budget staff join Dary Stone, Johnny McCollum, Willis Whatley, and me in making this recommendation. • 12104.41-a-- 0•1•)*--v.^.4"Ar' tosewolvol I 7\ DAVID A. DEAN General Counsel