Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1997 | 10:53 a.m.
In August, the state Parole Board released on parole 44 percent, or 204, of the 459 inmates interviewed.
For the year, 47 percent of inmates who got parole hearings were ordered released on parole. Over the period, 2,524 inmates of 5,394 who were interviewed won their freedom.
Parole Board Chairman Thomas Patton thinks the parole rate has risen because some inmates are being seen after they have served longer sentences.
"When we see them, they have done more time and their chances of parole are more favorable," Patton said.
Also, he said some of the inmates being seen now were sentenced under the 1995 truth-in-sentencing law. This law requires prisoners to serve a minimum of 40 percent of their sentences. Previously, some inmates could win parole after serving one-third of their sentences.
As a result, Patton said the parole rate is bound to increase.
"We just don't see them as early as we used to," explained Patton, who became chairman in July. Previously, he was a deputy attorney general who handled Parole Board matters.
The increase in the parole rate follows a July 1995-July 1996 period when the release rate was 34 percent. Some months, only 25 percent of inmates won parole.
But Patton said the lower rate was a natural reaction to the May 1995 killing of Sparks police officer Larry Johnson. He was shot by career criminal Donald Cameron, who had been paroled only a month earlier. Cameron was then slain by other officers.
Parole Board members came under criticism from legislators for Cameron's release, particularly former member Thomas Wright.
Patton said the seven Parole Board members don't pay attention to the parole rate, but consider whether to parole a convict on a case-by-case basis.
In some cases, he said it's preferable to grant parole because inmates are close to expiring their sentences.
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