About Parole Hearings

The following information is extracted from the publication, Operation of the Board (PDF)

The Board does not determine who is eligible for parole, nor does it calculate sentence expiration dates. These are functions of the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) which also records statutory good time and other credits earned by prisoners. Inquiries regarding credits earned, parole eligibility and expirations of prison and parole terms shall be directed to the NDOC sentence management office, which is responsible for maintaining accurate timekeeping records.
All parole hearings conducted by the Board are open to the public in accordance with NRS 213.130(3). Persons attending parole hearings may do so as observers only, with the exception of victims, direct family members of victims, and inmate representatives, who are allowed by Nevada law to speak at these hearings. The Board may ask questions of anyone in attendance and may allow brief statements from a supporter (or a spokesperson for a group of supporters) as time allows.
Individual votes of all commissioners and recommendations of hearing representatives on all decisions shall be recorded.
Parole hearings may be conducted by panels in accordance with NRS 213.133.
The results of the Board’s deliberations will not be announced until four members are in agreement, and the applicable institutions, facilities and inmates are notified of the decision. This ratification process will take place as soon as practical, with notification taking place within 10 working days from the ratification of the vote.
Under the provisions of Section 4, NRS 213.130, the Board may deliberate in private following a public hearing held to consider an applicant for parole. The Board often considers information which must, by law, be classified as confidential, including information obtained by parole and probation officers, employees of the Board, and confidential victim information (NRS 213.1075).
Parole is an act of grace by the State of Nevada and the release of a prisoner from confinement after serving a portion of their sentence is discretionary. While on parole, the prisoner remains subject to the jurisdiction of the Board, under the supervision of the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation (P&P) until they have completed their sentence or have been granted early discharge.
Parole hearings on eligible inmates are conducted generally three months in advance of minimum parole eligibility dates. In the event a prisoner is not seen during the month in which their name appears on an eligibility list, the prisoner will be rescheduled once their name is re-submitted to the Board on an eligibility list. The Board will not add the name of a prisoner onto an agenda unless their name appears elsewhere on that month’s published eligibility list. The Executive Secretary or Parole Board Chairman may exempt this requirement if proper public notice can be accomplished.
Parole hearings are generally scheduled to occur at one of the offices of the Parole Board and video conferenced to the institution where the inmate is housed. If a scheduled inmate has been moved to another institution, the parole hearing will generally occur unless a video link to the new institution is unavailable, or if the inmate indicates that the move has interfered with his ability to prepare for the hearing. When a hearing can not take place, the panel scheduled to conduct the hearing may take no action and cause the inmate to be rescheduled to a future month, or make a recommendation to grant parole.
Action to deny parole may occur if an inmate refuses to attend a hearing, or refuses to sign the notice of the hearing provided the notice was served in accordance with NAC 213.534.
All prisoners eligible for parole under Nevada Statutes shall be considered for parole.
The Board will not act or rule on claims of inaccuracies in pre-sentence investigations. Any claims of inaccuracies in a pre-sentence investigation report should be addressed to P&P who is responsible for the preparation of these reports.
As directed in NRS 213.130, during hearings to consider prisoners for parole, the Board shall allow prisoners to have a representative present to confer with and to speak on their behalf if they wish. This representation may include an attorney, family member, friend or another prisoner. The presence of the representative will be at the prisoner’s expense. Prisoners with physical communication disabilities, i.e. deaf/mute, are entitled to services of an interpreter at public expense.
Prisoners who are made immediately eligible for parole by action of the State Pardons Board will not be considered by the Board until the 30 day notification required by law can be effected.