ACSOL’s will hold a public conference call on Wednesday, November 16, at 5 p.m. Pacific time. The topic of the call will be “Polygraph Exams” and the call will follow the same format as the previous calls. There will be a brief presentation of the topic to be followed by a Q&A session where call attendees may ask questions pertaining to the topic.
Dial-in number: 1-712-770-8055
Conference Code: 983459
I look forward to having you call in.
Sincerely,
Janice
Hmm, this board is so lonely, lol. OK so polygraphs, what about them, scientifically invalid. Can be deceived, and manipulated depending on the people giving and taking them. Should not be allowed to be used. Cannot force a person to surrender their self interest. Protected by the 5th amendment, in any criminal case. All actions taken by a Dept of corrections in connection with their custody of a person is directly related to the criminal case, not collaterally, but directly. Treatment must be optional, not mandatory, it is not the responsibilityof the state Dept of doc to treat anyone, except to prevent pain and suffering, or to control potential violence against inmates or co’s by persons who demonstrate they will by threatening, or actual violence, or have harmed themselves. The doc is not a mental health organization, they are to carry out the punishment, nothing more. They provide no treatment to any other offender, except for anger management classes that are optional or mandatory but do not involve the discussion of the underlying offense. The same should apply to all offenses. There is no such legal doctrine such as collateral effects, all acts carried out against a conviction are direct consequences. Collateral effects is simply an imaginary legal doctrine invented by the state to allow further punishment.
There are some pretty clear mistakes in this.
In California, there are three results:
No Deception Indicated
Inconclusive
Deception Indicated
The second and third are not the same. Deception indicated means that your physiological responses were outside the bounds set by the control questions, indicating that you were dishonest in your response. Inconclusive means that they asked you the question multiple times and sometimes it was outside the acceptable bands and sometimes it was within, thus yielding an inconclusive response and the polygrapher cannot make a determination.
As it relates to parole, failing (deception indicated) and inconclusive CANNOT be used to 1. revoke parole or 2. extend parole. What it can do, however, is change how the parole officer chooses to supervise you. As an example, suppose you indicate deception when you claim to not watch porn. They can’t use that deception to send you back to jail or to extent your term on parole. However, next time they do a home visit, they might choose to look at your computer.
In point of fact, the only way you can really hurt yourself is by admitting to breaking a condition or breaking a law. The polygrapher can ask about your crime or your current parole/probation conditions. The polygrapher should not ask about any other crimes/charges/etc. If they do, you should refuse to answer under advise of counsel per your 5th amendment rights.
NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY TELLS YOU, IF YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ANSWER A QUESTION, IT IS BETTER TO LIE THAN TO ADMIT TO BREAKING A LAW. FAILING THE TEST CANNOT HURT YOU; ADMITTING GUILT TO A CRIME CAN.
For the most part, parolees are far more nervous than they need to be. Most people fail. A lot of people get inconclusive. It doesn’t matter. As long as you haven’t told on yourself, there isn’t a single thing they can do to hurt you other than modify how they supervise you. Over my time in parole, I witnessed dozens and dozens of parolees who were extremely worried about this tests, especially after hearing that they failed. Doesn’t matter. Just take a chill pill and relax. It’s not a big deal.
If you can pass the tests, though, it actually can help you. I passed 5/5 of mine, including the initial where I denied the crime I was accused of. After passing, I used my ensuing containment meetings to ask to have many conditions removed. To support my request, I pointed out that hitherto I had been successful on parole. I pointed out that they required me to take a polygraph, which I passed. I pointed out the conditions weren’t related to past criminality or future criminality, etc.
As a result, I was able to be with minors, have curfew removed, as well as several others.
So, there’s no need to approach these polygraphs with dread. If you can pass them, they might help you. If you can’t, no big deal. Even if you fail or get inconclusive, it won’t hurt you. Many parole officers don’t even care. Some might ask. Just reasert your truthfulness. “Why did you fail the polygraph?” “I don’t know maybe I was anxious or something but I told the truth and I’m happy to take another one right now.” The Parole officer will probably give you some sort of vague warning and then everybody will move on with their life.
So, lesson of the day: Never admit to anything and fear not.
thanks for having this venting and getting basic overall answers with so many different topics and option to call in to get a basic response and share as well On Topic. Thank you,
So many will NOT write on this website and some too afraid to read. This is a good thing on Wednesdays that you and Chance offer. And the call taker and organizer of this live broadcast over the phone. Thank You All.