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| Last updated: 05/07/2004        doj/jmd/ls/jj | UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSIONMISSION
The mission of the United States Parole Commission is to promote public safety and strive for justice and fairness in the exercise of its authority to release and supervise offenders under its jurisdiction. The Commission achieves these goals through a conscientious application of its guidelines to each case, tempered by a willingness to give due regard to individual circumstances. Its guiding principle is to apply the least restrictive sanction that is consistent with public safety and the appropriate punishment of the offense. In making its determinations, the Commission considers information from a variety of sources, including the presentence report, victim of the offense, sentencing judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, prison officials, and offender.

**JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION**

The United States Parole Commission has jurisdiction over the following types of cases -
- Federal Offenders (offenses committed before November 1, 1987) .   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -      - granting or denying parole to federal offenders who committed their offenses before November 1, 1987 and who are not otherwise ineligible for parole; and  
  - making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole or mandatory release supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers.
- D.C. Code Offenders (offenses committed before August 5, 2000).   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -      - granting or denying parole to D.C. Code offenders who committed their offenses before August 5, 2000 and who are not otherwise ineligible for parole; and  
  - making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from active supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole or mandatory release supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by Supervision Officers of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia and United States Probation Officers.
- D.C. Code Offenders (offenses committed after August 4, 2000).   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for D.C. Code offenders who committed their offenses after August 4, 2001 and who are sentenced to a determinate sentence of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release. Supervision in the community is provided by Supervision Officers of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency of the District of Columbia and United States Probation Officers.  
- Uniform Code of Military Justice Offenders.   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for -      - granting or denying parole to parole-eligible Uniform Code of Military Justice offenders who are serving a sentence in a Bureau of Prisons' institution; and   
  - making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, early discharge from supervision, issuance of a warrant or summons for violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for such offenders released on parole supervision. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers
- Transfer-Treaty Cases.   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for conducting hearings and setting release dates for U.S. citizens who are serving prison terms imposed by foreign countries and who, pursuant to treaty, have elected to be transferred to the United States for service of that sentence.      - For offenders who committed their offenses after October 30, 1987, the Parole Commission applies the federal sentencing guidelines promulgated by the United States Sentencing Commission in determining the time to be served in prison before release.  
  - For offenders who committed their offenses before November 1, 1987, the Parole Commission applies the parole guidelines that are used for parole-eligible federal and military offenders.
- State Probationers and Parolees in Federal Witness Protection Program.   The Parole Commission has the responsibility for making determinations regarding the initial conditions of supervision, modification of the conditions of supervision for changed circumstances, issuance of a warrant or summons for a violation of the conditions of supervision, and revocation of release for certain state probationers and parolees who have been placed in the federal witness protection program. Supervision in the community is provided by United States Probation Officers. |
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