NCJ Number
187240
Date Published
May 2000
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This closed captioned videotape features parole board members and crime victims discussing victim assistance procedures.
Abstract
Parole boards throughout the United States are becoming more aware of their roles in victim assistance, including notifying victims when an offender is being considered for parole and providing them details concerning the parole process. While procedures vary among the States, more and more parole boards are permitting victims and their families to relate their version of the criminal event and its effects on them. These accounts are considered by the parole board along with the police account, the perpetrator's account, and testimony by defense attorneys regarding the perpetrator's efforts at rehabilitation, attitude toward the crime, current frame of mind, etc. In some States the perpetrator and victim(s) are in the hearings room together, and other States' parole boards hear from the two sides separately. In addition, some States have begun appointing a crime victim to each parole board. While victim issues are an important consideration for parole boards, one possible negative aspect is that victims' (sometimes very emotional) accounts might have undue influence on parole board decisions.