Georgia Parole Review Summer 2021 Ga Parole Review Summer 2021 | Page 6

Board and office provide many services to victims

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles celebrated National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) 2021 with several events during April 18th through the 24th. The Georgia Office of Victim Services, a division of the Parole Board, conducted victim-centered events. Information about available services was provided to crime victims. 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of NCVRW. This year’s theme was “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.”

Parole Board Member David Herring says the Board’s victim personnel  continue to provide excellent service to crime victims.

“Crime victims certainly can count on being heard by the Georgia Parole Board as a result of the hard working staff we have in the Georgia Office of Victim Services. Our dedicated employees ensure victims are able to provide the Board Members with information prior to the parole decision which is considered by the members. I am looking forward to when we are able to again sit down face-to-face with victims,” states Herring. Herring was referring to the Victim Visitor Days that had to be suspended as a result of the pandemic.

Michele Burns is a victim services specialist for MADD for Southeast and Coastal Georgia.

"The MADD Georgia Victim Services Team is so grateful to  the Georgia Parole Board and the Georgia Office of Victim Services for partnering with us to present these resources. The information provided is invaluable to victims of impaired driving and their loved ones, as well as to those of us who advocate for them. We are also fortunate to be able to continue to share this training with victims and other community partners who were not able to attend, as they will surely benefit from it,” stated Burns.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week 2021 by participating in the Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC) Homicide Memorial event Sunday, April 18th. The event was at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. Several groups were participating at the event which included a victim rights panel and candlelight vigil.

Contact the Georgia Office of Victim Services at [email protected] or call 404-651-6668. You can also visit  pap.georgia.gov.

The Parole Board Members and the Georgia Office of Victim Services conduct Victim Visitor Days where

victims meet in person with Board Members to provide information about the impact of the crime.

In other activities, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Georgia Office of Victim Services presented information to MADD of Georgia during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Victim Services Director Rita Rocker and the staff of the Georgia Office of Victim Services delivered the presentation.

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