Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services
Notification of Parole Hearings
Crime victims (or their next of kin or immediate family members if the crime victim has died) may receive notification of a parole suitability hearing so that they are afforded an opportunity to make a statement to the hearing panel. This statement may be made in a number of ways:
- writing to the BPH
- attending the hearing
- submitting a statement on audio, video tape, CD-Rom or DVD, accompanied by a written transcript of the statement
- appearing by videoconferencing (if the equipment is available)
Attendance of Parole Hearings
The victim, or if the victim has died, up to two next of kin or immediate family members in the following order of precedence may appear at the hearing:
- Spouse (including registered domestic partners)
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Grandparents
- Victim Representive that is appointed by the victim
Each victim, next of kin or immediate family member attending the hearing is allowed to be accompanied by one support person who cannot participate in the hearing nor make comments. Up to two persons in the categories listed above are entitled to appear, and with prior approval from the Board, more may be allowed.
These persons may attend the hearing personally or be represented by counsel. If both counsel and client attend the hearing, only one may make a statement or address the panel.
In lieu of personal appearance, the victim or next of kin or immediate family member may submit a 15-minute statement on audio or video tape, CD-Rom or DVD, accompanied by a written transcript of the tape. It should be mailed to the Classification and Parole Representative at the prison where the inmate is housed and the hearing will be conducted, at least three weeks prior to the hearing. This tape and transcript will be placed in the prisoner's central file and will be available to the panel at all subsequent parole hearings.
Victims or next of kin may also appear at some parole hearings by video-conferencing from a site remote from the prison, if equipment is available at the institution. For more information, please contact the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services, Toll Free 1-877-256-OVSS (6877) or email us.
Obtaining Approval to Attend a Hearing
Victims, next of kin, or immediate family members wishing to attend the parole hearing should contact the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services, Toll Free 1-877-256-OVSS (6877) or email us at least two weeks prior to the hearing so that specific information regarding attendance can be provided and gate clearance arranged.
Victims who would like to receive notification of parole hearings must inform the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services of that in a letter that includes their mailing address. All valid requests received at least 30 days prior to the next scheduled hearing will receive notification of that hearing.
Victim's Next-Of-Kin Declaration
Victim's Declaration
Board of Parole Hearings Handbook
Confidentiality
If requested in writing, statements submitted by victims, next of kin, or immediate family members may be placed in the confidential section of the prisoner's file.
Victim Support Groups