Code of Massachusetts Regulations
120 CMR - PAROLE BOARD
Title 120 CMR 401.00 - Victim Access Hearings
Section 401.04 - Victim Impact Statements Before Parole Board Members

(1) A victim shall be afforded the opportunity to inform Parole Board members of the crime, the impact of the crime, and the victim's opinion and recommendation regarding parole release prior to the hearing, in written submissions or verbal communications to Parole Board members, or to attend and testify at the hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in 120 CMR 401.04. The inmate will be notified that a victim or victims may attend or testify at the hearing.

(2) A victim may attend and offer testimony at the hearing. A victim may also attend the hearing and provide written submissions to Parole Board members regarding the impact of the crime and the victim's opinion regarding parole release.

(3) A victim must notify the Parole Board's Victims Service Unit of their intent to attend a hearing at least 30 days prior to the hearing in writing or by telephone to the Victims Service Unit. A victim who testifies at a hearing must do so in the presence of the inmate. Parole Board members may, in their discretion, exclude victims who fail to provide timely notice of their intent to testify at a hearing.

(4) Statements submitted by a victim, whether oral, written, or electronically recorded, may be considered evaluative or intelligence information according to 120 CMR 500.00: Dissemination of CORI, Evaluative Information, and Intelligence Information, and may be kept confidential if necessary to protect anyone from harm or to protect the source of information. See M.G.L. c. 127, § 130 and c. 4, § 7(26).