Victim Services

Parole Hearing Explanation

Glossary of Terms

Parole Hearings

Victims, who are registered with the Department, are notified of parole hearings 30 days prior to a hearing date, and have a right to participate at the parole hearing. There are several options available.  Each option is outlined in the hearing notice mailed to the victims.    

Victims may appear in person.  Parole hearings are conducted at the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services located at 293 Greystone Blvd., Columbia, South Carolina 29210. Victims can attend the hearing by videoconferencing at the Allendale, Anderson, Charleston, Chesterfield, Florence, Greenville, Marietta, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg or Walterboro Remote Video Conferencing Site. Victims may also participate virtually, by phone or by providing statements/letters for the SC Board of Paroles and Pardons. State law provides that the primary victims (or the next of kin if the victim is deceased or is a minor) may submit a DVD of their opposition in lieu of attending the hearing in person. 

If you plan to participate in a parole hearing, you should contact the Office of Victim Services by email at victimservices@ppp.sc.gov or by phone at 803-734-4770 or 1-888-551-4418 (toll free).   

Note deadlines for participation are listed on the hearing notice.  Failure to notify may result in the case being heard without your participation.   

Click here for information on submitting a DVD.

Click here to submit an email opposing parole or go here to fill out our online form.

Click here for directions to Parole Hearings.

The hearings are public hearings by law so please be aware that an audiotape of each hearing is being made.

The SC Board of Paroles and Pardons will communicate with the inmate via videoconferencing.  The inmate will be located at one of the South Carolina Department of Corrections Institutions.

The Board will allow up to five victims and/or witnesses to participate regarding an inmate’s potential parole.  Limitations or exceptions to this guideline will be considered on an individual basis.  In fairness to other victims’ families who want to attend, we ask you to please be respectful of this limit.

The Board chairman will ask you to state your name for the record and your relationship to the victim/case. After you have participated in the hearing a member of the Victim Services staff will advise you of the Board’s decision.  If parole is denied, the inmate can be heard again in one or two years – depending on the date and classification of the offense.  If parole is granted, you will be advised of the conditions of the parole.