September 22, 2016
Parole Board Members Plan to Meet with Crime Victims
Milledgeville is the site of the Board’s Victims Visitors’ Day on October 13, 2016
Atlanta - On October 13, 2016, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles is inviting victims of crime in Georgia to meet with the Board in Milledgeville. At the Victims Visitors’ Day, crime victims can meet with a Board Member to discuss the impact of the crime and the offender’s parole status. The meetings provide the opportunity for victims to provide information to the Board and have their questions answered.
Victims not previously registered with the Georgia Office of Victim Services can do so at the event. By registering crime victims will receive notification if the Board is considering a parole release for the offender involved in the crime.
The Victims Visitors’ Day in Milledgeville is being held by the Parole Board in conjunction with the Georgia Office of Victim Services and the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program.
Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard urges crime victims to reach out to the Board by attending.
“These meetings provide valuable insight for the Board Members,” stated Barnard. “Our Board will continue to protect the rights of victims and ensure they have the opportunity to engage us. Victims are an important part of the parole process and we hold these meetings in order that they are provided a voice in that process. It's equally important that victims are registered with the Georgia Office of Victim Services and complete victim impact statements."
District Attorney Stephen Bradley serves the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit.
“Serving victims is what we do each and every day. Our office is here to represent the victim and we’re excited to welcome the Parole Board to Milledgeville for Victims Visitors’ Day,” stated Bradley.
The event will take place at the Central Georgia Technical College, located at 54 Georgia 22, Milledgeville, Georgia, 31061. An opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the victim meetings with the Board.
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.
Since 2006, the Parole Board has conducted Victims Visitors’ Days around the state in order to make the Board accessible to all crime victims. More than 3,000 victims including family members have met with the Board during these events.
Crime victims are asked to schedule an appointment by calling 404-651-9701 or 1-800-593-9474, by October 12, 2016. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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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