ATLANTA – More than 150 Georgia crime victims attended the Parole Board’s Victims Visitors’ Day held Thursday, July 30, 2015, at Fort Valley State University. The event was held for crime victims allowing them to meet with a Parole Board Member to discuss the offender in their case and to learn about that offender’s parole status. Victims are able to share any information they wish with the Parole Board in the meetings.

“Victims Visitors’ Day is a day set aside for victims of crime to make known all of their concerns in a private and personal setting with the decision makers on parole eligible cases,” stated Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard as he spoke during the morning’s opening ceremony.

The Fort Valley Victims Visitors’ Day was sponsored by the Georgia Office of Victim Services in conjunction with State Representative Patty Bentley who represents House District 139.

Bentley also spoke at the opening ceremony telling victims, “You matter, your concerns are very important to us.”

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 were also present and available to answer questions concerning an inmate’s incarceration or their community supervision, whether on parole or probation.

Chairman Barnard says the Board believes Victims Visitors’ Day is an event that empowers and sets victims on a pathway toward becoming survivors.

“Public safety, community engagement and victim empowerment are just a few priorities that we focus on today, as we press forward in our goal to help victims become survivors,” Barnard added.

Since the Board’s first Victims Visitors’ Day in 2006, more than 2,500 people have had their questions answered in person in meetings with the Board.

Exit interviews with victims confirm the importance of the event for victims. Over 98% of the victims who have attended Victim Visitors’ Days are satisfied with their overall experience according to their exit interviews. The Parole Board has now held a Victims Visitors’ Day in 15 different Georgia communities.

Following the opening ceremony yesterday meetings with the Board were scheduled throughout the day and continued into the early evening. All five board members attended and in individual meetings with victims more than 70 offender cases were discussed during the day.

“We will stay until the last victim is heard,” stated Barnard.

Parole Board Members are full-time employees of the agency, appointed by the Governor to seven year, staggered terms, subject to confirmation by the State Senate.

For more information about the Parole Board please visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov or call the Office of Communications, Steve Hayes at 404-657-9450.

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