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Parole denied for Gilberto Gonzales; panel cites incomplete mandatory classes
Summary
Gilberto Gonzales was denied parole after the panel concluded he still needs mandatory classes, including prerelease, despite family testimony and positive early treatment reports.
At a Bossier Parish hearing the Committee on Parole denied parole to Gilberto Gonzales, a first-class offender serving a 10-year sentence for second-degree kidnapping. The panel assigned to the case said Gonzales must complete mandated programming before reconsideration.
Gonzales told the panel he had made poor choices, expressed remorse and described spiritual and personal change during incarceration. Family members—his mother Diana Tapia and sisters Denise and Sheila Gonzales—addressed the panel by video, urging release and describing his support network.
Treatment staff reported Gonzales began a nine-month program on March 3 and had two positive behavior reports without rule violations; staff said he was polite and participated in classes. The district attorney’s office opposed release, arguing the programming remained incomplete and urging that mandatory classes be finished before parole.
Panel member Mister Tillis led questioning and said the record shows mandatory prerelease and other classes are missing; the panel concluded that the required education could not be completed within the remaining program timeline. The board voted to deny parole and encouraged Gonzales to complete the mandatory programs and reapply promptly.
Panel members noted Gonzales’s positive behavior but emphasized statutory and program requirements for prerelease and substance-abuse coursework. The hearing record shows the panel denied parole and instructed staff to assist Gonzales in completing the required classes so he may reapply when eligible.
