INTERVIEWS:

Helpful Hints

There's a harsh truth to face. You don't interview a parolee the same way you do other crooks. They are not going to tell you what you want to know cause your the good guy. There is a much better chance that you will get what you want if you keep a few things in mind. The days of " you came in here with information and good looks and you ain't leaving with both" are over with. Convicts are products of their environment. There are two things that control their lives in the joint; the simple things and paranoia. You may get further with a candy bar than you will with a plea bargain.There is a certain atmosphere that must be created before you will get what you want and it is up to you to create it. Props can help you do that.

Before we talk about the props and how to use them, lets talk about some do's and don'ts when interviewing parolees.

DO:
Know conditions of parole
Establish who is boss and do it early on
Look for common ground to talk about
Take your time
Use your props

DON'T:
Take notes
Record the interview ( do it without their knowing it )
Demean Threaten
Make it personal
Promise anything

Props are used to create this atmosphere we talked about earlier. Some of the ones I use are; A copy of his rap sheet ( circle the convictions ), a stack of detectives case files, a filtered cigarette and a lighter, a cold drink or a hot drink (depending on the weather ), a candy bar and a tape recorder with a cassette tape, sitting on top of it, with the suspect's last name written on it in big black felt pen letters. I lay these things out on the table with the exception of the rap sheet that I hang on the wall beside him. Then I put him in the room, handcuffed and let him sit for awhile. He's an observer so he's trying to figure out what all these things are for when you come into the room. The first thing I do is pick up one of the case files and begin reading. He thinks the first one who talks controls so he tries to start, usually by asking a question. I'll stop him and go back to reading. What have I just told him. Ya, we start when I say so cause I'm in charge. After a short time I'll ask if the cuffs are uncomfortable. After he says yes I'll take them off or have them taken off. What have I shown him ? I'm in control of his comfort. Then I ask him if he knows why he is there and I take my first drink of what ever is in front of us. Practice your slurping. Sound effects are powerful. If its a hot drink blow on it before you drink, you wouldn't want to burn yourself would you ? Oh ya, fumes are also powerful. Remember to appeal to those things that he used inside that 8 by 6 by 10 foot cell, his senses. As we talk about why he is in custody I'll start playing with the filtered cigarette. Whoops, the filter fell off and some tobacco fell on the table. Can't have a messy interview table now can we ? So brush those killer leaves off the table, in his direction. One cigarette says something to this guy. There's one smoke and two guys at this table. Somebody is going to get this one smoke and its going to be him. Competition is a healthy thing.

Usually by this time he's starring at the rap sheet and the cassette sitting on top of the recorder. He says something profound like " Hey man I don't talk on tape". I'll say something like " oh ya well I don't tape my interviews". He says " what's the tape recorder for ?" I'll say "you didn't send this to me?" Holding the tape up. He says no and I'll say "well man this tapes got your voice all over it, you sure you didn't send it to me?" OOOPPPS , he thinks. Who did I talk to that was wired. Good by calm, hello paranoia. He also tells me that he ain't going to clear any cases for the detectives and I say we'll talk about that later. Apprehension is also a good thing. By this time I'm munching on the chocolate bar and I turn and point at the rap sheet and ask him if he knows what the circles are for. He says no and I ask if he has ever played baseball and how many strikes are in that game. He now catches my drift and we talk a while about the three strikes law. The amount of circles determines the amount of paranoia. Take the rap down and show it to him. Show him the circled convictions. Reality, what a concept.

In a short amount of time you have used the environment that you have created to motivate him to realize that talking is his best bet. Appeal to what he is familiar with. The simple things and paranoia. You got, he wants. That's how you bounce the bait. When you set the hook and start talking about what you want is up to you. Always remember; if the lips are moving, their lying ! Next time we'll talk about tats, tacs, ink, tattoos. Until then as usual , be careful.