The Board determines which prisoners serving in the jails and prisons of Alabama shall be paroled, prescribes the conditions of parole, and determines whether a parolee who has violated any of these conditions should be revoked or continued on parole. The Board also provides probation services for those courts that have probationary powers. Investigative and supervision services provided to these courts are similar in kind and identical in quality to those provided the Board in parole cases. Further, the Board grants pardons and/or restoration of civil and political rights to those persons who have shown evidence of rehabilitation and who have demonstrated the ability to live as good citizens. In its parole decisionmaking the Board considers criminal history, family background, prison progress, and parole resources, as well as the impact of the crime on the victim. The Board believes it is best to release inmates before they are prison-hardened, while family ties are still intact, when they are guaranteed employment, and while they will have the control and support of a trained parole officer. In fiscal year 1995-96, 6,549 inmates were considered for parole, of which 1,644 received parole. Parole data are also provided from September 15, 1939, to September 30, 1996. Probation was granted to 8,170, and probation was revoked for 1,982. Data are provided on State inmates paroled and revoked by counties as well as probations granted and revoked by counties. Victims rights in relation to the Board are also explained.