The Other 84 Percent (1960)

Duration: 29:46:00

Year Published: 1960

Sound: sound

Description: Produced by Houston’s KPRC-TV, this 1960 television news documentary takes a closer look at the Texas parole system. Written and narrated by KPRC News Director Ray Miller, the program follows the case of one prospective parolee from initial appeal to release. The subject, inmate 111241 at the Texas State Penitentiary, is referred to by the pseudonym Blake Randwick. After the parole board decides to consider Randwick’s request for parole, they send for his prison record as well as a report from the prison’s institutional parole officer. A second copy of the report is sent to the parole supervision office where Randwick intends to live. Upon deciding in Randwick’s favor, the parole board sends their recommendation to Governor Price Daniel for final approval. Randwick leaves prison with a set of clothes, $5, and a bus ticket to Houston. Miller concludes by evaluating Randwick’s chances of being among the “other 84 percent,” which represents the percentage of parolees who do not reoffend.