WILLIAM P. CLEMENTS, JR. GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE CAPITOL AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711 October 4, 1982 Mr. T. Louis Austin Mr. Pete V. Cortez Mr. Robert D. Gunn Mr. Joseph V. LaMantia Mr. T. L. Roach, Jr. Mr. Clifford F. Smith, Jr. Mr. Lindsey Waters, Jr. Mr. Harry M. Whittington Mr. H. B. Zachry, Jr. Dear Members of the Board of Corrections: The Board of Pardons and Paroles met on Friday, October 1, 1982, to formally approve a procedure to help avoid a possible overcrowding at the Texas De- partment of Corrections in November. The Board will begin immediately to reconsider inmates previously denied parole sooner than the one year normally waited before reconsideration. Inmates who, according to Board statistics have at least a 50% chance of being granted parole, will receive this expe- dited reconsideration. The Parole Board has not been willing to try to pre- dict the number who will be paroled by this process, but they have said that this procedure will result in the release of some additional parolees as soon as two weeks from now, with increasing numbers for several months thereafter. It is important to remember that the increase of parolees now will result in a reduction in the number of parolees in late spring and summer. This illu- strates the need for you to be continually adjusting your plans to anticipate and prepare for what is likely to happen in the future. Many alternatives were considered as this procedure was developed, and this was, by far, the best course of action to take. My Blue Ribbon Commission on the Criminal Justice Corrections System is already proving valuable, for it was involved in the development of this procedure and formally urged the Parole Board to take this action. The Parole Board is to be complimented for reacting in a responsible, reasonable manner to aid a partner in the criminal justice system. Sincerely, William P. Clements, Jr. Governor WPCJr:slh Cc , cgleN, 9"" F5+elkt_