What Victims Need to Know About the Parole Process

Parole Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parole?
Parole is the conditional release from prison of a convicted person who has not yet served their full sentence.

What is a parole hearing?
A parole hearing is held when the Department of Correction determines the inmate is eligible for early release from prison. If approved, the inmate will serve the rest of his/her sentence under the supervision of the Department of Community Correction.

Who is a victim?
A crime victim as defined by A.C.A. § 16-90-1101 is a victim of a sex offense, an offense against a minor, or a victim of a violent crime.

Can a victim attend the inmate parole hearing?
The victim will not be admitted to this hearing but is entitled to a separate hearing with the board.

How will the victim be notified of a parole hearing?
If the victim has requested notification from the Department of Correction, he/she will be notified in writing 30 days prior to the parole hearing. If the victim is registered with VINE he/she will be notified 30-90 days in advance by phone and/or email.

How can a victim have input into the parole process?
The victim, or the next of kin, may provide written or oral recommendations regarding the granting of parole and release conditions. Any written materials will be made available to the inmate for his/her review. The victim or next of kin may request to make an oral presentation by contacting the Parole Board and asking to be scheduled for a victim impact hearing.

Where and when will the victim impact hearings be held?
The impact hearings are generally held twice a month on Wednesdays at the Parole board office in Little Rock.

Who will be hearing the victim impact statement?
The full Parole Board composed of 7 members and any staff deemed necessary by the Board will be present for victim impact hearings.

Will the inmate be present at the victim impact hearing?
The inmate will not attend the victim impact hearing. His/her parole hearing will be held at a correctional facility on a separate date.

Can a victim bring someone to the victim impact hearing?
The victim may bring as many people as they would like to the impact hearing, but presentations will be limited to 15 minutes. The victim must have prior approval of the Board to bring members of the press or media.

When will the results of the parole hearing be available?
The Board will give the victim a card after the impact hearing with the date the results will be available. If the victim is registered with VINE he/she will receive notification of the results as soon as they are made available.

What if the parole hearing is not held?
The inmate can waive his/her right to a parole hearing at anytime. If the victim is registered to receive notification he/she will be notified of this event.

The Choice is Yours
Victims are not required to attend victim impact hearings but they do have the right to do so if they wish. The choice is yours.

If you choose not to attend a victim impact hearing you may submit a written statement about the impact of the crime. This statement will be given to the inmate so all confidential information such as address and phone number should be omitted. To discuss your options, please contact the board of parole.

For more information about the parole process please contact:

Arkansas Board of Parole
Physical Address: 105 W. Capitol
Little Rock, AR 72201
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 34085
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 682-3850
Fax: (501) 682-3860
www.arbop.org

For VINE Information:
1-800-510-0415
www.vinelink.com

Arkansas Crime Information Center
One Capitol Mall, 4D-200
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-2222
Fax: (501) 682-7444
www.acic.org