Utah Board of Pardons & Parole

Process to Access Prison for Hearings

All visitors need to be modestly dressed in order to be permitted entry into the prison. Bare midriffs, see-through blouses or shirts, shorts, tube tops, halters, extremely tight or revealing clothing (including dresses and skirts more than three inches above the knee), or sexually revealing attire shall not be permitted. Children under the age of twelve may wear shorts and sleeveless shirts.  If you have questions related to more current rules and requirements for entry into the prison hearing room, please reach out to the Utah Department of Corrections.

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  1. By statute a victim is known as an individual against whom an offender committed a felony or class A misdemeanor offense for which the hearing is being held or a victim or record. For those cases where the offender has been convicted after April 29, 1996, the definition has been expanded to include any victim originally named in the allegation of criminal conduct, but who is not a victim of the offense for which the defendant entered a negotiated plea of guilty.

  2. Family may testify if the victim is deceased, incapacitated or otherwise not available because of the offense. The Board requests that testimony be limited to no more than two victim representatives. Under exceptional or extraordinary circumstances a victim may petition the Board to request additional victim representation and testimony.

  3. If a victim does not wish to give testimony, a designee may be appointed to speak on their behalf.

  4. Oral testimony at hearings shall be limited to five minutes in length per victim or designee. It is requested that the remarks be written and brought to the hearing and left for the Board file.

  5. Testimony may be given when the offender is not present. If requested by the victim, the offender will be asked to leave the hearing room while the victim is giving testimony. After the testimony, the offender will be brought back into the room and be allowed to listen to a tape recording of the victim’s testimony. The offender will be given an opportunity to respond to the testimony.

  6. Victims who want to testify are asked to provide courtesy notification to the Board in advance of the hearing so that appropriate arrangements can be made and time allocated for presentations. Victims should call the Victim Coordinator prior to the hearing to verify the location and time of the hearing and to advise if they are going to testify.

  7. If more than four victims are granted permission to testify at the same hearing, the hearing may be rescheduled to provide adequate time to hear testimony.

  8. Victims will be subject to all Department of Corrections security procedures and dress code standards. Prison admittance regulations require members of the public to bring one form of photo identification. Please leave other belongings such as purses at home or in a locked car.

     

  9. A victim at a hearing where the media are present will not be photographed without approval of the victim and the presiding individual.

  10. Upon advance request, an interpreter can be provided for the victim.

  11. Please arrive at least twenty (20) minutes prior to the hearing.
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