About Parole Illinois
Who We Are
We are a coalition of people inside and outside of prison who are working toward a more just and humane legal system.
What We Believe
We believe in the power of redemption and transformation. We believe it is inhumane to order people to spend decades in prison until they die there without any periodic assessment of whether such sentences are necessary for public safety. We therefore stand against policies that sentence people to death by incarceration, whether that be life-without-parole or excruciatingly long sentences that people cannot outlive.
We believe that parole would present the most expeditious way for the many over-incarcerated people in Illinois to obtain their freedom. We don’t take this fact lightly. We are prepared to devote substantial effort to establishing a fair and inclusive parole system and maintaining a fair and effective parole board.
Our Actions
Our first course of action is to bring to Illinois a fair, inclusive, and retroactive system of earned discretionary release (parole). We are building a grassroots movement and working with legislators to promote parole legislation that is inclusive and that prioritizes rehabilitation and a return to full citizenship. In addition, this legislation must differentiate the initial trial (which focuses on responsibility for the crime) from the parole hearing, which should focus on a person’s level of rehabilitation and current risk to public safety.
We seek to mobilize the public to fight for a fair and inclusive system of discretionary release and, more broadly, for a more just and humane legal system.
Currently Incarcerated?
If you are on the inside and want to get involved in the campaign for a fair and inclusive parole system, please send your name, ID number, and facility to the address below:
Parole Illinois
601 S. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60612
Alternatively, a friend on the outside can email your name, ID number, and facility to paroleillinois@gmail.com and ask for you to be added to our membership list.
We regret that we do not have the staff to respond to individual queries at our physical mailing address. However, your family and friends on the outside can email us, check out our Facebook and Twitter, and receive regular updates when they sign up for our newsletter.
Our Mission Statement
Parole Illinois aims to change the perceptions, policies, and power relations that have maintained mass incarceration and extreme-sentencing in our state. We pursue these aims by bringing incarcerated voices into prison-policy discussions, training impacted people to share their stories and lead mobilization efforts, and educating the public and policymakers about the harms of extreme sentencing and the need for policies that give every incarcerated person in the state a fair chance to return home.
Tell your elected officials to restore parole.
Tell your Representative and Senator that restoring parole is best for Illinois and that you support Senate Bill 2129 and House Bill 3373.
Parole improves public safety.
Parole affirms the inherent goodness and ability of every person to rehabilitate.
Parole saves taxpayers millions.