To give you the approximate time line on some one going to prison and coming home on a timely basis, you can do some things to help his release at an earlier date. Lets assume for discussion someone has a 2 – 15 year sentence. If nothing gets done, then it would be reasonable to assume he would have to serve his maximum term of 15 years. No visits. If he has a tough first year, no recorded support from the outside or accomplishments with certificates and had a ticket or two because he didn’t really realize what was expected or was at the wrong place at the wrong time. One or two guards are picking on him, etc. Plus the negative calls and letters to keep him in prison by the victims side (they are hurting and deal with this constantly). Sounds discouraging, right?   Some times things aren’t as they appear, if the Lord is on your side, it cancels out many things. Besides the Lord, if he has a positive attitude for improvement in his thinking and taking responsibilities for his, and others actions, this will be huge to the parole board. He has turned himself around in relationships with the guards and gets along exceptionally well with them. The negative is the victim’s side involved is angry letters (surely justified) but the board deals with this every day, and angry letters are not a plus. Most of the positive things that take place depends on the inmate, making a difference on how soon he gets out, but what you do will make a huge difference on how well he does. If all is done that is possible to do, then he could get out just after his ERD (earliest release date). That ERD date is not very reasonable to plan on, although it does happen occasionally. He will have a parole hearing about 6 months before his ERD. (Give or take 2 months and they only tell him when that is) About 90% sure that he will get a flop (No parole) from his first hearing.  (Since 2015 the % has been much better) Hopefully, they will order the SOP or MSOP class, if so he will start that within 3 months. This class takes 6 months to finish. (That is 9 months so far) if he passes, then another parole hearing will be scheduled in 2 months, and if it is a positive decision, it takes another 2 months to get out. (9 months and another 4 months makes 12) That makes his release 6 months past his ERD. If he fails the SOP class (or fails in another area) it will be a year later. There are some cases where they start the SOP class before the first parole board date and that is where I believe you, at home, can make a huge difference. Much of the above only pertains in how you handle the next three phases, Church info, Safe Home and Employment! How you and your loved one responds to the above three underlined phases will make a big difference to the parole board and of course we all want him home when he is ready. So, read on, or call us to help you through this stressful time of your life.