Discharge from Parole: Pursuant to IAC 205.13.1, an offender released on parole will be discharged when the person’s sentence expires. However, discharge from parole may be granted earlier, if appropriate. There are some exceptions: a person convicted of a violation of the Iowa Code section 709.3, 709.4, or 709.8 committed on or with a child, or a person serving a sentence under section 902.12, shall not be discharged until expiration of maximum sentence (IAC 201.45.6).
Wisconsin’s discharge requirements differ slightly from Iowa’s. In Iowa, the recommendation for discharge from parole as submitted by the supervising officer shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Parolee’s attitude and adjustment to parole supervision; (b) Public offenses committed by the parolee while under supervision; (c) Violation of any parole conditions set by the board of parole; (d)Abuse of alcohol or drugs while on parole (e) Restitution accomplished by the parolee.
In contrast, s. DOC 328.13 states that parolees in Wisconsin may be granted discharge when there is a reasonable probability that supervision is no longer necessary for the rehabilitation and treatment of the offender and for the protection of the public. The offender must have reached their mandatory release date pursuant to s. 302.21, Stats. or have been under supervision for two years. Iowa rules provide that the district department shall have written policies and procedures for requesting a discharge from probation and shall require a recommendation for discharge when it is clear that the client has met court obligations, is no longer a threat to the community or cannot benefit substantially from further supervision (IAC 201.42.1(7)).
In Wisconsin the department may petition the sentencing court for early discharge of a probationer when there is a reasonable probability that supervision is no longer necessary for the rehabilitation and treatment of the offender and for the protection of the public. The department may only proceed if all of the following apply: (a) The rules and conditions of supervision set by the department have been satisfied; (b) The offender has served at least fifty percent of the term of probation; (c) All conditions of probation set by the sentencing court have been satisfied; (d) All financial obligations to the court, victim (s), and the department have been fulfilled including any fine, forfeiture, fee or surcharge, or order of restitution; and (e) The probationer is not required to register under s. 301.45, Stats. (s. DOC 328.17). c. Michigan.
Definitions: Pursuant to Chapter R 791.9901 of the Michigan Administrative Code, “offender" means a person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. Wisconsin has a more expansive definition of offender: “a person who is committed to the custody of the department for correctional purposes and is under community supervision of the department.” Unlike Michigan, Wisconsin’s code does not include definitions of probationer, probation agent, or probation plan. Wisconsin has the term “community supervision” which encompasses the control and management of offenders on probation, parole, extended supervision or other statuses as authorized by court order or statute.
Supervision Procedures: Pursuant to R 791.9920, when an offender is placed on probation, the supervising probation agent provides the offender with a copy of the order and informs the offender of the statutory conditions, as well as all of the terms and conditions contained in the order, and the possible consequences of a failure to adhere to the conditions of probation. For the purpose of monitoring the probationer's adjustment while on probation, the probation agent may 1) inquire into the probationer's employment status, including, but not limited to, the probationer's performance on the job, relationships with fellow employees, and relationships with supervisors 2) conduct interviews with probationer, members of the probationer's family, and acquaintances, 3) make other reasonable inquiries to determine whether the objectives of probation are being met. Section DOC 328.04 includes a similar, but more expansive list of individualized supervision duties, including the responsibility to collect restitution and other court ordered financial obligations, and fees as and to report suspected child abuse cases to the appropriate authorities. Unlike Michigan, s. DOC 328.07 sets forth responsibilities for the agent and department relating to supervision fees. In Michigan, if it appears to the probation agent that a modification of the terms or conditions of probation is necessary to achieve the objectives of probation, the agent may petition the sentencing court for a modification of the probation order (Mich. Admin. Code R. 791.9920(s)). The petition must contain a clear statement of the requested modification and the reason for the change. The agent must provide the probationer with a copy of the modified order of probation and shall explain the changes made by the modified order to the probationer.
The Michigan Parole Board considers a variety of factors when deciding if parole is appropriate in a particular case, such as family and community ties, pending charges, and education level. A prisoner being considered for parole shall receive psychological or psychiatric evaluation before the release decision is made if the prisoner has been hospitalized for mental illness within the past two years, has a history of predatory or assaultive sexual offenses, or a history of serious or persistent assault within the investigation. The board may also consider the prisoner's marital history and prior arrests that did not result in conviction or adjudication of delinquency. However, denial of parole cannot be based solely on either of these factors.
Specific rules are not present in Michigan Department of Corrections code related to standard rules of supervision offenders must abide by, offender fees, or housing of offenders in the community. S791.236a of the Michigan Compiled Laws does include provisions for a parole oversight fee, which is referenced in Mich. Admin. Code R. 791.7730(3) (b) Conditions of Parole. The fee varies based upon income, not to exceed $135 per month for not more than 60 months.
d. Minnesota.
Definitions: The Minnesota Administrative Code employs the terms “probation” and “parole,” while Wisconsin uses “community supervision” to encompass the control and management of offenders on probation, parole, extended supervision or other statuses as authorized by court order or statute.
Supervision Procedures: Minnesota Code includes detailed provisions regarding conditions or rules of supervision. MN ADC 2940.1800 provides “conditions of parole or supervised release shall be based on the need for public safety. Surveillance with optional treatment programming shall be utilized when consistent with case planning in order to achieve maximum public safety.” Minnesota code provides 9 standards rules or requirements of release including reporting, informing agent of residence changes and activities, maintaining contact with the agent, submitting reports as needed, following agent’s instructions concerning intoxicants, adhering to prohibitions against possessing firearms, remaining in the state unless approved by the agent, not engaging in any subsequent criminal behavior, and complying with probable cause to hold an offender in custody until the releasee is found not guilty. Authority to apply special conditions of release are also provided.
In Wisconsin, conditions of supervision are typically ordered by the court while rules of supervision are imposed by the department. Minnesota refers to conditions of release similarly to the way Wisconsin refers to rules of supervision. Section DOC 328.04 (2) (b) specifies standard rules of supervision including those listed above as well as additional rules including “avoid all conduct which is not in the best interest of the public welfare or the offender’s rehabilitation,” and “submit to searches ordered by the agent under s. DOC 328.22.” Concerning enforcement options, Minnesota code provides that apprehension and detention orders may be issued by the executive officer of the hearings and release unit or a district supervisor upon written reasons submitted by a supervising agent under authority of Minnesota Statutes, section 243.05. No releasee shall be detained under an apprehension and detention order for more than 72 hours unless revocation proceedings have been initiated by the supervising agent (MN ADC 2940.3400). Wisconsin rules similarly provide for time limits concerning detention. Wisconsin rules provide that for an investigation of an alleged violation of a rule or condition of supervision or to determine whether to commence revocation proceedings, an agent may authorize the detention of an offender for a maximum of 5 working days (sub. DOC 328.27 (2)). Extensions to this time period may be granted subject to supervisor or administrator approval.
Similar to Illinois, Minnesota Department of Corrections Administrative code includes rules concerning the licensure, use, inspection, organization, and administration of community-based residential correctional facilities (MN ADC 2920). Unlike Minnesota and Illinois, such facilities in Wisconsin are regulated under code promulgated by the Department of Health Services, ch. DHS 83 Community Based Residential Facilities. “Community-based residential facility" means a place where 5 or more adults who are not related to the operator or administrator and who do not require care above intermediate level nursing care reside and receive care, treatment or services that are above the level of room and board but that include no more than 3 hours of nursing care per week per resident. The chapter defines licensing categories, application requirements, limitations on admissions and retentions, rules relating to personnel management, orientation and training, admission, retention and discharge, program services, building design, facility closing as well as emergency and fire safety requirements. Section DOC 328.11(b) provides “the department shall require any vendors contracted for community-based residential facilities that are licensed under HFS 83 to comply with the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003. Unlike Wisconsin, no rules are present in Minnesota administrative code regarding discharge from probation or parole prior to the expiration of the parolee or probationer’s supervision end date. Limited provisions are provided allowing for review of release dates for those who are incarcerated to correct for mathematical errors or policy changes established by the commissioner with affects the term of imprisonment (MN ADC 2940). However, this does not extend to the offender’s discharge date.
8. Summary of the factual data and analytical methodologies: The Department of Corrections has determined that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses since the rule does not regulate small businesses as that term is defined in s. 227.114, Stats. 9. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis: Not Applicable.
10. Effect on small businesses: Not Applicable.
11. A copy of any comments and opinion prepared by the Board of Veterans Affairs. Not Applicable.
12. Agency contact person: Katharine Ariss, Administrative Rules Committee, 3099 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 7925, Madison, WI, 53707-7925; by phone: (608) 240-5039; or by email: DOCAdministrativeRulesCommittee@wisconsin.gov. 13. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission: Written comments on the proposed rule will be accepted and receive consideration if they are received by October 1, 2018. Written comments should be addressed to: Administrative Rules Committee, c/o Glen Mercier II, DOC, P.O. Box 7925, Madison, WI 53707-7925, or by email: DOCAdministrativeRulesCommittee@wisconsin.gov.
Text Of Rule
Section 1. DOC 328.04 (2) (i) is amended to read:
DOC 328.04 (2) (i) Monitor the offender's compliance with the conditions and rules including through the use of monitoring and tracking technology at the discretion of the department.
Section 2. DOC 328.07 is repealed and recreated to read:
DOC 328.07 Supervision fees.
(1) Supervision fee. An offender shall pay a supervision fee.
(2) Establishment of fee. The department shall charge a fee not to exceed $60 per month to probationers, parolees, and persons on extended supervision to partially reimburse the department for the costs of providing supervision and services.
(3) Agent action. The assigned agent shall do all of the following:
(a) Establish the offender's supervision fee or exemption.
(b) Provide the offender with a copy of the fee schedule.
(4) Reporting and verification of supervision fee. The department shall do all of the following:
(a) Record all supervision fees paid by the offender.
(b) Provide the offender access to a copy of the record of payments to verify receipt of payment.
(5) Refunds of supervision fees. The department shall refund supervision fees only when the offender has paid in advance for a month that the offender was not under supervision.
Section 3. DOC 328.10 (4) is repealed.
Section 4. DOC 328.11 is repealed and recreated to read:
DOC 328.11 Purchase of goods and services.
(1) If an offender requires assistance or materials that cannot reasonably be provided through any other available resource, the department may provide assistance in accordance with s. 301.08, Stats. The department shall approve the expenditure for the assistance before services may be provided. (2) The department shall require any vendors contracted for community-based residential facilities that are licensed under ch. DHS 83 to comply with the federal prison rape elimination act of 2003. Section 5. DOC 328.14 (1) is amended to read:
DOC 328.14 (1) If the department determines that transfer to another jurisdiction is in the best interests of an offender and consistent with the goals of this chapter, an interstate transfer may be initiated upon payment of an application fee authorized under s. 20.410 (1) (gn), Stats. The fee shall not exceed $150 per application.
Section 6. DOC 328.17 (1) is repealed and recreated to read:
DOC 328.17 (1) Offenders may be eligible for discharge as provided by s. 973.09 (3) (d), Stats. Section 7. DOC 328.17 (1m) is created to read:
DOC 328.17 (1m) The department may grant a parolee early discharge when there is a reasonable probability that supervision is no longer necessary for the rehabilitation and treatment of the offender and for the protection of the public. The offender must have reached his or her mandatory release date or have been under supervision for two years under s. 302.11 (6), Stats.
Section 8. DOC 328.17 (2) is amended to read:
DOC 328.17 (2) Offenders serving a life sentence are eligible for discharge by the governor as provided by s. 973.013 (2), Stats.
Section 9. DOC 328.17 (4) is repealed.
Section 10. DOC 328.27 (7) (title) and (a) (intro.) is amended to read:
DOC 328.27 (7) Detention of offender on extended supervision Short-term sanctions. (a) The department may confine an offender on probation, parole, or extended supervision beyond the time limits provided under sub. (3) as a sanction when both of the following occur:
Section 11. DOC 328.27 (7) (d) is created to read:
DOC 328.27 (7) (d) Consistent with goals and requirements set forth in s. 301.03 (3) (b), Stats., the department will adopt an evidence-based response to violations.
Section 12. Effective date: The proposed rules contained in this order shall take effect on the first day of the month commencing after the date of publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register, as provided in sub. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.
