The Parole Advocacy Initiative (PAI) is a collaboration between the Parole Preparation Project and Fordham Law, that aims to increase the availability of high quality, pro bono counsel to incarcerated people appealing unjust denials of parole. Every year, the Parole Board denies parole to hundreds of people who have served their minimum sentence and are ready to return home. For those serving indeterminate life sentences, the repeated denial of parole is essentially a second prison sentence. Unlawful parole denials contribute to mass incarceration and the aging prison population; yet the Parole Board is largely insulated from scrutiny. Challenging parole denials in court is the only way to hold the Parole Board accountable and ensure that parole determinations are just.

This training will provide an overview of the parole appeals process, and attendees will receive a detailed Appeals Manual. We will be joined by a former client of a PAI volunteer, who will discuss his experience before the Parole Board and the benefits of having pro bono counsel. Also joining us are two current PAI volunteers, who will share their experience representing incarcerated clients in parole denial appeals.