N.C. Department of
Correction--Correction News--May 1997
Commission Unveils
New Service for Crime Victims
By Tracy Herring
The N.C. Post-Release
Supervision and Parole Commission has created a new service for
crime victims whose offender is being considered for parole.
Crime victims will now have the opportunity to present
information to the Commission via the N.C. Information Highway.
"We are very
pleased to be offering this new service to crime victims," said Commission Chairman
Juanita H. Baker. "It is important that victims be heard
during the parole review process and this new program
will allow them to be involved without the economic
burden of having to travel to Raleigh to present their
views."
Currently, the
Commission meets with victims only in Raleigh. The new
program will allow victims to travel to a specified
location nearer their home and talk with a commissioner
who is in Raleigh via a link on the Information Highway.
|
 |
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Carron Suddreth,
a victim who has participated in Commission victim
meetings in the past, talks with news reporters |
The first round of video
conferences is scheduled for May and will link Pitt Community
College in Greenville with Raleigh. Victims whose offenders are
scheduled for a parole review in a three-month time period will
be contacted by the Commission and offered an opportunity to
present their views either by writing a letter, scheduling an
appointment with the Commission in Raleigh or by participating in
the video conference. After victims contact the Commission and
indicate they would like to participate in a video conference,
the specific date, time and location for the video conference
will be scheduled. The program will eventually expand statewide.
Funding for the video
conferences is provided by a grant from the Governor’s Crime
Commission.
The new victim service was
announced April 15 during a press conference held simultaneously
in Raleigh and Greenville. Among those who made comments were
Jane Patterson, senior policy advisor to Governor Jim Hunt;
Carron Suddreth, a victim who has participated in Commission
victim meetings in the past; Tom Haigwood, the district attorney
in Greenville; and parole commissioners.
NC DOC Correction
News- May 1997
NC Department of Correction News
NC
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