Once the risk assessment has been administered and the relevant information described in the preceding recommendations has been gathered, the transition team needs to ensure that an analysis of this information is conveyed to decision makers in a clear and comprehensive manner. The transition team should organize these analyses into a written report that balances brevity, clarity, and comprehensiveness of information. The format of such reports should be standardized with supplementary written documents attached as necessary. Relevant parties should also have the opportunity to present oral arguments to the releasing body. Where the parole board members have been trained in understanding risk assessments, the results of any assessment should also be provided to them.

Example: Offender Information Management System, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Institutional Parole Officers compute a Parole Guidelines Score (which combines assessed risk and severity classification factors) online and document the results in a Decision Summary Form, which is transmitted electronically to members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles along with each inmate's case file. Board members then vote electronically to grant or deny parole. (For more information on the Parole Guidelines Score, see Recommendation b in this policy statement.)

As stated earlier, this collected information is also helpful in determining conditions of release, a decision relevant to virtually all jurisdictions, regardless of how the release decision is made. Even for those who will be released unconditionally, such as those who have completed their full sentence in prison or jail, the information can help to shape a suggested roadmap of services to protect public safety and to keep the individual from recidivating or committing new crimes.

Example: Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles

All investigations by Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles staff result in written reports to be presented to the board. In addition, before the person is paroled, the Department of Corrections provides the board with a Parole Review Summary. This summary describes the inmate's behavior, attitude, physical status, mental and emotional condition, participation in activities, and performance in work and training. The board may, at its discretion, request detailed psychological or psychiatric opinions. The case file reviewed by the board usually also includes a Federal Bureau of Investigation or Georgia Crime Information Center record of arrests and convictions, a Classification and Admission Summary (on the individual's condition when he or she entered prison), disciplinary reports, and relevant material from written correspondence.