AR SB57

Amends Arkansas Code § 16-90-1113 to establish procedures for victim impact statements during inmate parole hearings conducted by the Parole Board.

Permits victims to present written victim impact statements at a victim impact hearing and allows victims to present statements orally or verbally at their option, with hearings conducted by one or more board members.

Allows victim impact hearings to be conducted through video-conference technology if it does not inhibit the victim's statement.

Requires the board to provide inmates with copies of all written victim impact statements upon request, except for statements from sex offense victims which are privileged and cannot be disclosed to the inmate unless a court or board finds the inmate's interests outweigh the victim's privacy and safety interests or to enhance accuracy of the board's determination.

Requires the board to consider victim impact statements presented at the parole hearing and statements presented to the sentencing court when deciding whether to release an inmate on parole, and authorizes the board to establish rules governing preparation, use, and disclosure of victim impact statements.