CDCR currently instructs victims, family members, designated representatives, and support persons who want to participate in a parole suitability hearing to request participation in advance. A late request can limit participation even though a written statement may still be submitted.
What a parole suitability hearing decides
A parole suitability hearing addresses whether an incarcerated person is suitable for release to parole supervision under the governing standards. It is not a retrial of the underlying criminal case. The Board considers the record and the information presented through the parole process.
Who may participate
CDCR identifies victims, specified family members, designated representatives, support persons, and counsel as potential participants under current procedures. When the victim has died, family-member participation rules apply. A victim or family may also choose a representative to speak on their behalf.
Notice and registration
Victims who want parole-related notifications should make sure they are registered with the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services and keep contact information current. CDCR provides Form 1707 and related procedures for notification, parole-hearing information, and other victim services.
The current reservation deadline
CDCR’s current parole-hearing guidance states that requests to participate should generally be made at least 15 days before the hearing. If participation is not timely arranged, a person may still be able to submit a written statement. Because procedures can change, the current CDCR instructions should be checked for every hearing.
Preparing a useful parole presentation
A parole statement can address the continuing impact of the crime, current safety concerns, information relevant to release, and the victim’s position on parole. Preparation should focus on the issues the Board is authorized to consider rather than simply repeating the entire criminal case.
Useful preparation items
- The hearing notice and incarcerated person’s CDCR number.
- Confirmation that OVSRS has current contact information.
- The participation method: in person where available, videoconference, telephone, counsel, representative, or written statement.
- A focused outline of current impact and safety concerns.
- Any request concerning special parole conditions that should be raised through the appropriate CDCR procedure.
How private counsel can help
Counsel can coordinate participation, prepare the victim or family for the hearing format, organize a statement, identify current safety information, explain what the Board is deciding, and appear as counsel or representative where the governing procedures permit.
After the hearing
Post-hearing issues can include obtaining the decision, understanding the result, requesting or reviewing the transcript when available, maintaining current notification information, and responding to later proceedings such as a petition to advance a future hearing date.