Crime victims and their families can meet with the Parole Board in Brunswick

Atlanta –  On October 15, 2015, victims of crime in Georgia can meet with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles in Brunswick to discuss the parole status of the offenders who caused them to become victims and receive information about how the Georgia Office of Victim Services can serve them.

The Georgia Office of Victim Services will conduct a Victims Visitors’ Day at the Glynn County Courthouse in collaboration with the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. At this event, crime victims will be able to sit down individually with parole staff and Parole Board Members to give the Board information about their case and how they’ve been impacted by the crime.

The Georgia Office of Victim Services serves registered crime victims whose offender is a state inmate or who is under parole or probation supervision. Representatives from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision also will be present to speak with victims. Questions victims may have concerning an inmate’s incarceration or their community supervision, whether on parole or probation, can be answered by staff from these agencies.

Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jackie Johnson says victims and their families play an essential role in our criminal justice system. 

“There can be no justice unless the victim’s voice is heard, both in the courts and the penal system. The Board of Pardons and Paroles has given victims of crime a unique opportunity to be heard by holding Victims Visitors’ Day in Brunswick,” says Johnson.

The Parole Board conducts Victims Visitors’ Days around the state in order to make the Board accessible to all crime victims. Since 2006, the Parole Board has conducted 23 Victims Visitors’ Days in 15 different communities and met with more than 2,500 victims. The most recent Victims Visitors’ Day was held in Fort Valley on July 30th.

Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard says the Parole Board Members are looking forward to being in Brunswick on October 15th.

“We want to hear from all victims and we are visiting all parts of Georgia in an effort to hear from victims who have not had an opportunity to have direct contact with the Board,” stated Barnard.

“Through these events victims will receive services and the Board is able to give victims a voice in the process and we are able to see and understand their issues as crime victims,” he added.

Crime victims are asked to schedule an appointment by calling 404-656-6872 or 1-800-593-9474 by October 13, 2015. However, walk-ins are also welcome.

The opening ceremony for Victims Visitors’ Day will begin at 10 a.m. at the Glynn County Courthouse at 701 H. Street, Brunswick, Georgia 31520.

For more information about the Georgia Parole Board, please contact the Office of Communications, Director Steve Hayes, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected]; also visit www.pap.georgia.gov.

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