Crime Victims can meet with the Parole Board, April 23, 2013

Atlanta, GA –The 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 21 – 27th. The state’s Multi-Agency Victim Services Partnership is inviting victims of crime to attend the annual ceremony and open house scheduled for April 23rd at State Offices South, Tift College in Forsyth. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., in Roberts Chapel and the open house will follow at noon. The event is being held to honor crime victims and increase public awareness about victims’ rights.

The theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “New Challenges and New Solutions.”

In conjunction with the ceremony and open house, the Department of Corrections and State Board of Pardons and Paroles’ Office of Victim Services will conduct a Victims Visitors’ Day. Crime victims can register early in order to meet with parole staff to receive updates regarding the offender’s status and discuss the case with staff and Parole Board members.

Parole Board Chairman Albert Murray hopes victims of crime will take this opportunity to reach out to the Board.

“Our joint office of Victim Services is available year-round to assist victims and they do a great job representing Georgia crime victims. Victims Visitors’ Day is an opportunity for us to provide information in face-to-face meetings with those victims who have important information of their own to share with us,” stated Murray.

During the Victims Visitors’ Day, victims will also be able to register to receive notifications regarding an offender’s status and receive information regarding claims processing. Victims who would like to meet with agency staff to discuss offender information should contact the Office of Victim Services by calling 404-651-6668 or 1-800-593-9474.

At the open house from 12:00 to 4 p.m., victims will have the opportunity to meet with the leaders from all of the sponsoring agencies and receive information on the following services:

  • get questions answered regarding claims processing,

  • receive current information on offenders, including the maximum release date, parole date and location of the inmate,

  • register to receive further notification of an offender’s status,

  • submit Victim Impact Statements,

  • receive Victim Services information,

  • and learn how to navigate the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles’ websites.

The Multi-Agency Victim Services Partnership: Administrative Office of the Courts, Commission on Family Violence, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Department of Corrections, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Public Safety, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Governor’s Office of Children and Families, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia

Media requesting interviews, please contact Steve Hayes at 404-657-9450 or [email protected]

For more information on the Parole Board, please visit our web site at www.pap.georgia.gov

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