In the past year, 73 Idaho prison inmates refused to be let out on parole – preferring to serve more time behind bars in order to finish out their sentences and then get out scot-free, without any need to check in with a parole officer, take drug tests or follow rules. “They don’t want parole,” said Olivia Craven, executive director of the Idaho Commission for Pardons and Parole, though all were eligible. “It doesn’t make sense to me either. They don’t want to follow rules, they don’t want to have someone over them.”

An additional 34 inmates in the past year refused to take part in programs that would help them qualify for parole, such as drug treatment or anger management.

Of the 73 who refused parole, the largest group – 14 – were serving time for possession of a controlled substance. Another seven are in for grand theft, and another seven for failure to register as a sex offender.

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