VICTIM ACCESS TO PUBLIC HEARINGS
Starting July 1, 2024, the Virginia Parole Board will be required to convene a public meeting when conducting the final deliberation and vote regarding whether the Board will grant parole to a prisoner. Victim(s) shall be permitted to attend and participate in such public meeting. Participation in a public parole meeting is not mandatory and entirely at the discretion of the victim(s). Not all parole eligible inmates will have a public meeting. Please note that victims may continue to schedule Board Appointments as well as to submit any letters with regard to an offender's release and all information given to the Board remains confidential. For further information regarding public hearings, please contact the Victim Input Unit (804)-887-8184.
The Victim's Role in the Process
The Virginia Parole Board welcomes input from crime victims, family and friends of victims, and the community concerning the impact that the release of any inmate would have on them. Crime victims, their families or concerned citizens may present the physical, emotional, and economic impact of the crime. All information received is confidential and will be considered by the Board in making its decision.
Virginia Code 53.1-155 requires the Board to endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making any decision to release any inmate on discretionary parole.
Victim Notification
The Parole Board and Victim Input Program encourage all crime victims to register with the Department of Corrections Victim Services Unit’s NAAVI system (Notification And Assistance for Victim Inclusion). NAAVI is a notification service that provides victims of crime with information and notification about inmates who are in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections using text, phone, email, letter, and/or TTY. Notifications will provide eligible crime victims with status updates of their perpetrator’s release, transfer, death, name change, escape, and parole interviews or decisions, if applicable. All information is confidential.
Please contact the Department of Corrections Victim Services Unit at (800) 560-4292 or (804) 674-3243 or visit https://naavi.virginia.gov/en-US/ to request registration and/or assistance. Only eligible crime victims, as outlined in Virginia Code 19.2-11.01, will be approved for NAAVI victim notifications. Eligible crime victims can also request registration for NAAVI notifications at the Virginia Department of Corrections website: https://vadoc.virginia.gov/victim-services/
The Parole Board’s Victim Input Program can be reached at (804) 887-8184 or online at https://vpb.virginia.gov/contact/.
Victim Input Program
Submit Opposition Letters or Other Information
The Victim Input Program receives and processes opposition letters and other information submitted by crime victims and concerned citizens. When submitting correspondence to the Victim Input Program, it is important to include the inmate's name and Virginia Department of Corrections' seven digit inmate number.
Opposition letters and other information can be sent to:
Request to Appear in Person or for a Telephone Appointment
The Virginia Parole Board provides victims of crime and immediate family the opportunity to appear in person before the Board or to have a telephone appointment. The Board also accepts requests for special conditions when an inmate is released; this includes, but is not limited to, having no contact with the victim.
To schedule an appointment or speak to someone about requesting special release conditions, please contact the Victim Input Program toll free at 800-560-4292 or 804-674-3081.
Statement of Non-discrimination
The Virginia Parole Board’s Victim Input Unit does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, sex, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status, spirituality, or age in any of its services or general information given. For questions or to submit a complaint, visit our contact page.