The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In a large number of criminal cases in Georgia the perpetrator of a crime and the victim are related in some way; often they are domestic partners.

In light of the fact that it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month it seems an ideal time to communicate that the Parole Board and its staff want all victims of crime, particularly victims of violent crime, to know that they have a voice. The Board not only wants to hear from, but actively seeks input from victims.

Input received from crime victims definitely makes a difference with the Board. In 93 percent of those cases where a letter protesting the release of an offender was received from a victim during the last year, the Board either postponed release on parole or denied parole altogether. By statute law almost all offenders must receive parole consideration, but that certainly does not mean that the Board has to or will grant parole. In cases where a victim has voiced opposition it is more likely that the offender will not be released on parole.

The best method by which a victim may make their opinions known to the Board is in writing. Letters received from victims or others who oppose parole for a particular offender are made a permanent part of that offender's case file. The Board's Victim Advocacy Office answers any letter received, but more than that, they actually advocate on behalf of the victim with the Board.

Letters received from victims or others are flagged to ensure that in all cases the protester is notified prior to any parole consideration, giving the protester one more opportunity to express their views in a case.

For a number of years the Board has solicited Victim Impact Statements from crime victims or family members of a crime victim. This document provides the Board Members with a firsthand account of exactly how a victim or the victim's family has been impacted by a crime.

Whenever a Victim Impact Statement is received by the Board the victim is automatically notified prior to any parole consideration; it is not necessary that such notification be formally requested. This form is made available to victims or others through the local prosecutor's office. Soon this form may also be accessed on line at the Board's web address: www.state.ga.us/Department/PAP, and once completed the form can be electronically transmitted to the Board.

The Board has such a keen interest in the rights of victims that it does not allow itself to be constrained by any legal interpretation of who a "victim" is. The Board welcomes communication from anyone wishing to express an opinion in a case.

Very often, in fact approximately 90 percent of the time, criminal cases in Georgia are disposed of through a plea bargain. In such an arrangement, the offender may enter a plea of guilty to the one charge where the evidence of guilt is most compelling. Yet, there may be a number of other crimes with other victims but for whatever reason the offender is not even charged with these crimes.

There may also be other occasions where an offender may be incarcerated for a totally different crime, or an offense against another victim. This offender often has a domestic partner somewhere out there a wife or girlfriend, for example that has also been victimized by that offender. The Board treats information received from these other parties exactly the same way as it does information received directly from an actual victim.

Victims or others may make their views known to the Board by writing to the following address:

Trixie Lee, Director of Victims' Advocacy Office

State Board of Pardons and Paroles

2 M.L. King Jr. Dr., S.E.

Atlanta, Ga. 30334

All communication received is strictly confidential. If a victim or other interested party simply wishes to make an inquiry in a case they may call Trixie Lee at 404-651-6668 or this office at 770-229-3120.