Government will introduce legislation mandating that criminals serve at least 12 months of their prison sentences before being eligible for release on parole.Announcing the 2012 Annual Report of the Parole Board yesterday, Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said the measure would allow more time for inmates to take advantage of in-prison rehabilitation and treatment programmes.Allowing an inmate to go on parole too soon “does a disservice to the inmate who returns to society unchanged other than a period of incarceration, and a disservice to the community who may well become the victims of his/her reoffending”, said Minister Dunkley.He added that the legislation had been called for since 2007 and will be tabled in the next session of the House of Assembly.“We cannot pay lip service to holistic solutions to the issues of social dysfunction and leave critical boards without the legislative tools required to fulfil their mandate.”The Parole Board also called for a Corrections Employment Officer, noting in the report that some programmes mandated by individual case plans were not available “and 2012 saw several prospective parolees highlight this flaw in their efforts at rehabilitation”.And the report added that there was limited assistance to inmates who are required to have a full-time job and “proper accommodation” before their application assistance can be considered.Mr Dunkley said that a revised organisational structure for Corrections, which addresses the need for an employment officer, will soon be submitted to Cabinet for approval.According to the Annual Report, the Parole Board conducted 131 interviews in 2012. Thirty-two persons were granted parole, 11 denied parole, 19 declined parole and 16 had their paroles deferred.Fourteen reviews and 21 breach hearings were conducted. Six parolees were recalled.“Of the 16 incarcerated persons whose parole was deferred in 2012, some had long-term drug addictions and were deferred to receive treatment interventions; some had not completed the core components of their case plan; and many had not secured employment or housing,” the report states.The report laments the fact that there was at least one parole breach every month in 2012. Two parolees breached their conditions of parole more than once.Inmates must have served one third of their prison sentences to become eligible for release on parole. Those released on parole must adhere to certain conditions set by the Parole Board which considers a number of factors including the inmate’s behaviour while incarcerateed, the sentencing judge’s recommendations, remorse or restitution, the inmate’s willingness to submit to supervision, participation in educational or vocational programmes and a post-release plan.Parolees are subject to certain conditions such as undergoing drug tests when directed, refraining from committing other offences, and supervision requirements.