In the present atmosphere of conservative repression, virtually no prisoner, regardless of how much ass she's kissed is paroled at her minimum. Nonetheless, present law provides that a representative of the Parole Board will go through the pretense of a parole interview two or three months prior to the prisoner's scheduled minimum date. It is all a cruel farce intended to frustrate and crush the prisoner with false hopes.
Conservative politicians are fond of such torments.
Ordinarily, the prisoner will be teased with an original parole interview. I know of cases where the hit has been as long as 12 years. His job is to inflict the maximum damage upon the prisoner and to cause the maximum grief. But that's rare. If the prisoner gets a longer hit, over a year, he may apply directly to the Board and he'll be reviewed after one year.