Correctional Counselor (CC1) Practice Exam

Under which regulation would a lifer in prison be evaluated for parole?

1. Norwood

2. Rutherford

3. Perez

4. Valdivia (BPH)

The correct answer is: Rutherford

The regulation that typically governs the evaluation of lifers for parole is the Valdivia (BPH) designation. This regulation specifically pertains to the procedures that the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) follows when assessing parole eligibility for inmates serving life sentences. The Valdivia decision resulted in significant reforms surrounding the rights of inmates, particularly those who are lifers, ensuring that their parole hearings are conducted in a manner that aligns with due process. These hearings often involve a thorough review of the inmate's behavior, rehabilitation efforts, and plans for reintegration into society, as well as risks associated with their release. Lifers are subject to a more stringent evaluation process due to the nature of their sentences, and the Valdivia guidelines provide the framework for these essential parole determinations. In contrast, the other regulations mentioned do not pertain specifically to the evaluations of lifers for parole. Each of those represents different aspects of correctional policy or legal frameworks that are less directly related to the parole process for life sentences.