Victim Statements to the Board
Per RCW 7.69.032 – With respect to victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crimes, to present a statement to the indeterminate sentence review board or its successor, in person or by representation, via audio or videotape or other electronic means, or in writing, prior to the granting of parole or community custody release for any incarcerated individual under the board's jurisdiction.
About
Victims and survivors have a right to provide input to the Board regarding any release hearing for the incarcerated individual. There are multiple ways that this can happen. The Victim Liaison is required by statute to provide a written summary of any information the Board considers, to the incarcerated individual. A victim or survivor may request limited confidentiality, so that the incarcerated individual is not told specifically who shared the information. Any statement to the Board must be received at least 14 days in advance of the incarcerated individual’s hearing. Statements to the Board can be written in any format and may contain any information the victim or survivor wishes to share. They may include the following information:
- Information regarding the impact of the crime upon the victim or survivor, including the physical, emotional, psychological, financial, employment, relational and social impacts, as well as the long-term prognosis of victims or survivors.
- Opinions regarding the release decision
- Requests that certain conditions be placed upon an incarcerated individual if/when released into the community
- In-life photographs or videotapes of deceased victims
- Descriptions of the actual offense, history of the relationship between the victim and the incarcerated individual, and other information concerning the incarcerated individual’s personality that will assist the Board in making an informed decision.
Meeting with the Board
A victim or survivor has a right to provide input to the Board regarding any release hearing for the incarcerated individual, and there are a few ways this may happen:
- Community Concern Meeting – Community Concern Meetings occur via Microsoft Teams, In-Person at our Lacey office, or telephonically. The Board primarily meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, and the incarcerated individual will not be present. Although these meetings are informal, prior to the meeting, some choose to write a statement or make notes to remind themselves of the significant questions and important information they want to share with the Board. Instructions for Microsoft Teams or a telephonic meeting will be provided.
- To meet with the Board Members for a Community Concern Meeting, please consult with the ISRB Victim Services. They are available to help you prepare and will be present at the meeting and throughout the hearing process.
- Along with Community Concern meetings, a victim or survivor may submit a written or recorded statement. Statements remain in the Boards file to allow current and future Board Members to read them each time the incarcerated individual is scheduled for a release hearing. If you need assistance preparing your statement, a Statement to the ISRB VIS template_is available for you. Some choose to answer the questions verbatim, while others simply use it as a guide to help them write their statement.
- Recorded statements may be provided in electronic format, audio, video, or other electronic means.
Statement Content
Washington statute and court decisions requires any victim/survivor statement or recording that the Board considers in their release decision, be summarized for the incarcerated individual. A victim or survivor may request limited confidentiality , so the incarcerated individual is not informed specifically who provided the information.
Statements to the Board can be written in any format and may contain any information the victim or survivor wishes to share. Some examples may include the following:
- Information regarding the impact of the crime upon the victim, survivor, or family; including the physical, emotional, psychological, or financial impact.
- Descriptions of the actual offense, history of the relationship between the victim and the incarcerated individual, and other information concerning the incarcerated individual’s personality that will assist the Board in making an informed decision.
- Current safety concerns – Community Supervision
Accommodations
When requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to assist victims and survivors in providing their input to the Board. Those accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- Interpreter services.
- Text Telephone (TTY) or other voice or hearing assistance devices.
- The presence of a support person designated by Victims/Survivors.
- Board member travel to a location of mutual agreement.
For further questions or concerns, please contact ISRB Victim Services.
