Victim’s Rights
During recent years, the public has expressed its concerns that offender rights should be balanced by victim rights. This has been demonstrated by passage of a number of laws on behalf of victims which impact upon this department. Victims of violent crimes and families of children who have been abused are notified prior to an inmate’s being granted a pardon or parole by the Board. The victim’s right to be present at the scheduled hearing and to express their concerns in person and in writing to the Board is provided by law. Written information may be sent to the board via U.S. mail or email to victim.services@paroles.alabama.gov.
Our Services
The Bureau offers victims and victims’ families a place they can turn to for answers before and after the pardon/parole hearing. The victim’s
service officer goal is to assist victims so they can fully participate in the pardon/parole hearing process. Understanding your rights as a victim of crime is important for you and your family.
Open Public Meetings
In-person hearings open to the public resumed July 13, 2021.
These meetings are commonly referred to by most of us as parole hearings, and are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays beginning at 8:00 a.m. The hearings are informal and are held for one inmate at a time with his/her family, friends, lawyer, pastor, or whoever wishes to attend, sitting on the right side of the room. The victim and/or victim’s family, or attendees sit on the left side of the room. Those appearing on behalf of the inmate are allowed to speak first and give their reasons as to why they think the inmate should be paroled. The victims and their supporters then give their reasons why the inmate should not be paroled. The inmate or defendant will not be present during the parole hearing. For more information, please visit here.
What are Your Rights?
As a victim of crime in Alabama, you have a Constitutional right to be treated with fairness, respect, dignity, and to be informed and present throughout the criminal justice process. All state, county, and municipal justice agencies and courts in Alabama are required to perform certain duties to ensure your rights are upheld. Some of these rights are:
- A list of local emergency and crisis services
- The name and telephone number of the officer and law enforcement agency handling your report
- The procedural steps in a criminal prosecution
- The availability of victim’s compensation benefits
- A listing of your rights as a victim, including a form to help you assert your rights
- The existence and eligibility requirements of restitution and compensation
- A recommended procedure in case you are subjected to threats or intimidation as a victim
- Notification of all criminal proceedings and charges filed against the defendant and the right to be present at all proceedings
- An explanation of the pre-sentence report and the right to make a written or oral statement to the probation officer
- Notification of date, time, and location of any sentencing hearing and to present any information at a sentencing proceedings
- Information regarding the return of any property taken during the course of the investigation
- Be provided the date of conviction, acquittal, or dismissal of charges against the defendant and the sentence imposed
- Refuse an interview or other communication with the defendant, their attorney, or anyone acting on their behalf
- The status and result of any post-conviction appeal
- Be supplied a waiting area separate from the defendant, his/her relatives, and defense witnesses (if available and practical)
- Submit a statement to be entered into the offender’s records
- Notification of release from prison, on bond, escape, re-arrest, or death of the defendant
Register for Notifications
To register for notifications, please contact Victim Services:
Ashley Harbin
Director of Victim Services
334.353.1143
victim.services@paroles.alabama.gov
100 Capitol Commerce Boulevard
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
Reminder: Keep our unit updated with your current contact information.