1. (a) The parole decision-maker is vested with complete discretion in making parole decisions to accomplish the mandatory duties found in Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.18.

2. (b) There are no mandatory rules or criteria upon which parole release decisions must be based. The parole decision-maker has the complete discretion to investigate a candidate for parole.

   1. (1) To assist the parole decision-maker in its investigation of a possible parole release, the board has adopted standard parole guidelines that are the basis, but not the exclusive criteria upon which parole decisions are made.

   2. (2) The standard parole guidelines shall include:

      1. (A) current offense or offenses;
      2. (B) time served;
      3. (C) the risk factors (consideration for public safety);
      4. (D) institutional adjustment;
      5. (E) the criminal history;
      6. (F) official information supplied by trial officials including victim impact statements;
      7. (G) information in support of parole.
3. (c) The adoption and use of the standard parole guidelines does not imply the creation of any parole release formula, or a right or expectation by an inmate to parole based upon the guidelines. A parole score and salient factor while utilized for research and reporting is not to be construed so as to indicate the parole decision. The standard parole guidelines shall serve as an aid in the parole decision process and the parole decision shall be at the discretion of the parole decision-maker.
4. (d) The board is authorized to revise the standard parole guidelines as warranted.

Source Note:The provisions of this §145.2 adopted to be effective May 1, 1995, 20 TexReg 2861.