# 20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.50: Section 1610.50 The Parole Release Decision

> Illinois · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_50

## Section

- **Citation:** 20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.50
- **Heading:** Section 1610.50 The Parole Release Decision
- **Jurisdiction:** Illinois
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Illinois Administrative Code / Title 20 CORRECTIONS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT / CHAPTER IV: PRISONER REVIEW BOARD / Part 1610 PRISONER REVIEW BOARD / Section 1610.50 The Parole Release Decision

## Text

Section 1610
Section 1610.50  The Parole
Release Decision
a)         The Exercise of Discretion.  The Board will make the parole
release decision on the basis of all available relevant information.  The Board
grants parole as an exercise of grace and executive discretion as limited or
defined by the Illinois General Assembly in duly adopted legislation.  The
Board shall not parole a person eligible for parole, if it determines that:
1)         There is a substantial risk that he will not conform to
reasonable conditions of parole; or
2)         His release at that time would depreciate the seriousness of
his offense or promote disrespect for the law; or
3)         His release would have a substantially adverse effect on
institutional discipline.
b)         Factors Affecting the Parole Release Decision.  The parole
release decision is a subjective determination based on available relevant
information.  In determining whether to grant or deny parole, the Board looks
primarily to the following factors evident from the inmate's prior history,
committing offense, institutional adjustment and parole plan, although the
decision is not limited to these factors when other relevant compelling
information is presented.
1)         Prior History
A)        Aggravating Factors
i)          A prior criminal record, including:  the existence of prior
convictions, the existence of multiple prior convictions, the existence of
prior convictions for similar crimes, and the existence of a criminal record
other than convictions.
ii)         A history of violence or assaultive behavior.
iii)        A history of substance abuse.
iv)        A history of gang affiliation, particularly gang leadership.
v)         Prior incarcerations.
vi)        Prior parole or probation violations or revocations.
vii)       Recorded evidence of emotional instability along with a
failure to seek or cooperate with treatment.
viii)      A juvenile record
A history of violence or assaultive behavior.
iii)        A history of substance abuse.
iv)        A history of gang affiliation, particularly gang leadership.
v)         Prior incarcerations.
vi)        Prior parole or probation violations or revocations.
vii)       Recorded evidence of emotional instability along with a
failure to seek or cooperate with treatment.
viii)      A juvenile record.
B)        Mitigating Factors
i)          The absence of the aggravating factors listed in Section
1610.50(b)(1)(A).
ii)         Attempts at treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, which have
resulted in a demonstrable reduction in use.
iii)        Evidence of responsibility and stability, as demonstrated by
demeanor and conduct at the hearing and by records of the Department of
Corrections.
2)         The Committing Offense as Documented by the Official Statement
of Fact.
A)        Aggravating Factors
i)          Major or permanent injury to the victim.
ii)         A degree of forethought and planning.
iii)        The use of a weapon.
iv)        The existence of multiple victims.
v)         A lengthy sentence.
vi)        Recommendation of the trial judge against parole.
vii)       The fact that the victim was a youth or senior citizen.
viii)      The fact that the victim was physically or mentally
handicapped.
ix)        The fact that the victim was a person known to the defendant
to have responsibility for the public safety or welfare such as a police
officer, fireman or Department of Corrections employee.
x)         Conduct which demonstrates a merciless, sexually motivated,
malicious or inhumane disregard for human dignity or life.
xi)        Protests from victims, prosecutors and the community.
xii)       Any of the aggravating circumstances established by the
General Assembly in the Unified Code of Corrections (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch.
38, par. 1005-5-3.2).
xiii)      A high severity or recidivism index.
B)        Mitigating Factors
rciless, sexually motivated,
malicious or inhumane disregard for human dignity or life.
xi)        Protests from victims, prosecutors and the community.
xii)       Any of the aggravating circumstances established by the
General Assembly in the Unified Code of Corrections (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch.
38, par. 1005-5-3.2).
xiii)      A high severity or recidivism index.
B)        Mitigating Factors.
i)          The absence of the aggravating factors listed in Section
1610.50(b)(2)(A).
ii)         The inmate played only a peripheral role in the crime.
iii)        Demonstration of remorse and understanding of the severity of
the offense.
iv)        Evidence of strong provocation by the victim.
v)         Any of the mitigating circumstances established by the General
Assembly in the Unified Code of Corrections (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par.
1005-5-3.1).
vi)        A low severity or recidivism index.
3)         Institutional Adjustment as Documented by Department of Corrections
Reports:  Factors Considered
A)        Institutional assignments.
B)        Grade status.
C)        Good time loss or credits.
D)        Completion of high school, college, or other academic courses
of study.
E)        Completion of training programs designed to provide vocational
skills.
F)         Number and nature of conduct reports.
G)        Success with counseling.
H)        Psychological/Psychiatric reports (if indicated).
I)         Escape attempts.
J)         Time in segregation.
K)        Possession of weapons or drugs.
4)         Release Plans:  Factors Considered.
A)        Letters of support.
B)        Residency plans.
C)        Employment plans.
D)        Location of parole.
E)        Vocational skills.
F)         In the full context of the inmate's parole release plans, the
likelihood of re-affiliation with gangs or associates who have had a
detrimental influence on the inmate in the past, as demonstrated by evidence
presented on the inmate's behalf.

## Nearby sections

- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.10 Section 1610.10  Administration](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_10.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.20 Section 1610.20  Eligibility for Parole](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_20.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.30 Section 1610.30  Preparation for Adult Parole Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_30.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.35 Section 1610.35  Juvenile Parole](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_35.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.40 Section 1610.40  The Adult Parole Hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_40.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.50 Section 1610.50  The Parole Release Decision](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_50.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.60 Section 1610.60  Order of Parole](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_60.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.70 Section 1610.70  Denial of Parole](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_70.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.80 Section 1610.80  Conditions of Release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_80.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.90 Section 1610.90  Rescission of Parole Order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_90.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.100 Section 1610.100  Rehearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_100.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.110 Section 1610.110  Arrangements for Parole](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_110.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.120 Section 1610.120  Conditions of Parole or Mandatory Supervised Release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_120.md)
- [20 Ill. Adm. Code 1610.130 Section 1610.130  Length of Adult Parole and Discharge](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_130.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_IAC_T20_P1610_S1610_50. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.