ATLANTA - The five member Parole Board is meeting with crime victims in Augusta on April 24, 2019. It will mark the agency’s 31st Victims Visitors’ Day since the event began in 2006 and the Board’s second visit to Augusta to meet with crime victims.

Crime victims will be able to meet with the Parole Board Members and staff from the Board’s Clemency Division during the event planned at Augusta Technical College.

“This event affords the crime victim an opportunity to speak directly to the Parole Board and give us information for the case file that will be important when we make a parole decision,” states Parole Board Chairman Terry Barnard.

Crime victims, in confidential meetings, will be able to provide the Board Members with information regarding the impact of the crime and victims will be able to ask questions regarding the parole process.

“Not only is the information the victims provide important to the parole process, we want victims to understand the parole process and their role, which again is vital to the Board making informed parole decisions,” Barnard stated.

“We consider every item of information in the case file before making a decision and that includes the victim’s information which is why it is so important we conduct these meetings,” added Barnard.

The Georgia Office of Victim Services is collaborating with the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office to conduct the Victims Visitors’ Day.

District Attorney Natalie Paine welcomes the Board to Augusta.

“We cannot undo what pain victims have gone through; however, we strive to make sure that their voice is heard as loudly and clearly as possible. I sincerely hope that those who have been victimized will take advantage of this unique opportunity to have their voices heard,” stated Paine.

Victims can also meet with representatives from the Department of Corrections and the Department of Community Supervision to receive information regarding an offender’s incarceration or if the offender is being supervised in the community.

Victims are asked to schedule an appointment with the Parole Board by contacting the Georgia Office of Victim Services at 404-651-6544 by Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Victims will be able to register with the Georgia Office of Victim Services to receive offender status changes and many other services. Locally, victims may call the Augusta Victim-Witness Assistance Program at 706-821-1135 to schedule an appointment. All victims are welcome at the event.  

The Victims Visitors’ Day begins with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. in the Jack B. Patrick Information Center, at Augusta Technical College, located at 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, Georgia 30906.

Since 2006, the Parole Board has visited twenty-two (22) Georgia communities providing access for crime victims to the Parole Board Members.

For more information please contact Steve Hayes, Communications Director for the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, at 404-657-9450 or [email protected] and visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov.

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