ATLANTA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles is inviting crime victims to meet with Parole Board Members in Clarkston, Georgia, on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, and Thursday, April 12, 2018. In recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a Victims Visitors’ Day will be conducted, allowing crime victims to meet personally with the Parole Board Members.

The event will be held at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Conference Center located at 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, Georgia 30021. The opening ceremony will be on April 11th beginning at 10 a.m.

This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is, "Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.”

Parole Board Chairman James Mills says this event is about assisting and reaching victims.

“Since 2006, the Parole Board and the Georgia Office of Victim Services have partnered with the district attorneys and their victim offices to meet the needs of crime victims and ensure we have all available victim information when making parole decisions. We look forward to another successful event and serving those crime victims who are able to attend,” stated Mills.

The Victims’ Visitors Day is being coordinated by the Georgia Office of Victim Services with the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program and DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston.

“Victim advocacy is a primary focus for the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. We are committed to serving crime victims and ensuring we are responsively and proactively meeting their needs,” states Boston.  “It is our pleasure to welcome the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Georgia Office of Victim Services to the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit for Victims Visitors’ Day, which fittingly so, is being held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. We are honored to serve as host and delighted to collaborate in this fashion to offer resources and assistance to victims of crime,” added Boston.

At the event victims will be able to discuss the parole status of their offender with a Parole Board Member. Victims may share information about the case that they want the Board to consider when determining possible parole for the offender.

Crime victims who attend will learn of the many services offered by the Georgia Office of Victim Services and the three agencies that support this office. In addition to parole, personnel from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision will be available to answer questions from victims. Victims not previously registered as a crime victim with the state, will be able to register at the event. Registration ensures victims receive notifications regarding status changes with the offender including Board decisions and possible releases.

The Victims Visitors’ Day in Clarkston will be the 29th event since the Parole Board began them in 2006. The Board and the Georgia Office of Victim Services have met with more than 3,400 victims and family members during that time.

All crime victims are welcome to attend. To schedule a meeting with the Parole Board and receive additional information, crime victims are asked to call the Georgia Office of Victim Services at 404-651-5717 by April 10, 2018. Walk-ins are welcome should a meeting not be pre-scheduled.

To learn more about the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, contact the Office of Communications at 404-657-9450 or visit www.pap.georgia.gov.

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