Post-Conviction Victim Advocacy Program
ABOUT POST-CONVICTION VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAM
After an offender is sentenced to prison, they may be eligible for parole. Parole is granted and controlled by the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority and lets the person who caused the harm to serve a part of their sentence in the community. If you or someone you know is worried about the person who caused them harm receiving parole, the Post-Conviction Victim Advocacy Program (PCVAP) can help.
The PCVAP can help you understand your rights during the parole process, sign up for automated victim notifications and follow up, help with collecting restitution, plan your safety and give information and referrals to community services.
Victim Information During the Parole Process
Minimum Term Hearing Sentence
Victims/designees/surviving family members can provide written victim impact statement or make verbal comments for the parole board to consider when making their decision to set
minimum term sentenceParole Consideration Hearing
Victim/designees/surviving family members may attend parole consideration hearing and provide a written victim impact statement to the parole board to consider when making their decision on whether to grant parole
Parole Consideration HearingEarly Discharge Consideration
A final discharge from parole before the scheduled supervision expiration date. The Hawai’i Paroling Authority can reduce previously set minimum sentences if: 1) the inmate submits a written request; 2) none of the conditions outlined by HPA are present Victims/Survivors can be notified through SAVIN of an
Victim Impact Statement
A written or oral statement made as part of the judicial legal process Allows crime victims the opportunity to speak during sentencing of the convicted person or at following parole hearings
Victim Impact StatementSafety Planning and Safety Wrap Around Services
If you ever feel unsafe you can meet with the Post-Conviction Victim Advocate to create a safety plan. A safety plan can help you take control of an unsafe situation and think of ways to keep you safe and reduce future harm. This plan is unique to your situation and can be created at any time.
Wrap around services can also help during safety planning. It is a plan where different services work together to that can assist in ensuring your safety. This could include your advocate, law enforcement, family/supporters, parole officers and other community resources working together.
Here is an example of a tool that can be used to help create a safety plan: https://www.thehotline.org/plan-for-safety/create-a-safety-plan/
Signing up for Victim Notifications
There are court events that occur when the person who caused harm may be given parole. To get notified of these events, you can sign up for Hawaiʻi Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notifications (SAVIN). The Post-Conviction Advocate can help you with signing up and updating your information.
Click here to better understand the SAVIN notifications that you may receive.
Click here for information on how to sign up for SAVIN notifications.
Assistance with Restitution Collection
Victims are often given the right to payments by the person who caused harm. Restitution is money ordered for crime-related loss by the court and then monitored by the Hawai’i Paroling Authority. If you are not receiving your payments or have questions, the Post-Conviction Victim Advocate can assist by working with Restitution and Victim Services (RAVS).
History
The needs and concerns of victims and survivors are not focused on during the parole process. When an offender is let out of prison, victims and survivors can be re-traumatized. The PCVAP was created in 2019 by Crime Victim Compensation Commission and in partnership with Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority to work directly with victims and survivors of crime and support them during the parole process in the state of Hawaiʻi.
Listen to Post-Conviction Advocacy Project Podcasts
Get in Touch with Post-Conviction Victim Advocacy Program
See below how to get in contact with the Post-Conviction Victim Advocate.