Creation; members; Chair; qualifications; decisions.

NRS 213.108 thru 213.10915 – Overview of the Powers and Hierarchy of State Board of Parole Commissioners

When it comes to issues of parole in Nevada, the State Board of Parole Commissioners possess a tremendous amount of influence and authority. The Board was created within the Department of Public Safety in 1957 by a revision of the Nevada statutes, the State Board of Parole Commissioners consists of seven members – a Chair (the executive officer responsible for the management, administration, and activities of the Board) and six commissioners. Nevada’s Governor appoints these Board members to serve four-year periods. Commissioners are expected to serve in the position exclusively – not working elsewhere. If a vacancy comes available on the State Board of Parole Commissioners, the Governor has sixty days to fill it.

Qualifications to Join the Board

Each member must have four years of experience in or hold at least a bachelor’s degree in and have worked at least three years in at least one of the following:

• Sociology;
• Criminal justice;
• Law;
• Law enforcement;
• Psychology;
• Social work; or
• The administration of rehabilitative or correctional facilities and programs.

The Governor must make sure that each of the above fields is represented in the Board.

Each person should have experience in:

• Parole and probation;
• Prisons;
• The advocacy of victim’s rights;
• Law enforcement – This includes investigation;
• Criminal law as a district or deputy district attorney or as the Attorney or deputy attorney general; or
• Therapy or social work with an emphasis on domestic violence, family counseling, and urban social problems.

However, no more than two people can have experience exclusively in the same field.

When the Board votes, majority rules.

Executive Secretary of the Board

The Secretary of the State Board of Parole Commissioners will be in the unclassified service of Nevada. As such, the Board must select a candidate for the Executive Secretary position according to their experience, training, interest in correctional services, and capacity.

The Executive Secretary prepares the Board’s agenda, answer correspondence, and send out copies of the lists that the Department of Corrections sends over to every law enforcement agency.

Orientation and Continuing Education for Board Members

Each member of the Board and the Chair must attend forty hours of orientation before they’re eligible to serve. The members must also participate in at least sixteen hours of continuing education yearly to continuing to be able to serve.

Establishing Standards for Granting, Denying or Revoking Parole

The Board is empowered to set standards for granting and revoking parole. Some of the factors used by the Board when analyzing a parole application include:

• The severity of the crime;
• The prisoner’s criminal history
• Whether they’ve had parole violations or a failed parole attempt before
• If they’ll be a threat to their victim or the community;
• The length of their incarceration; and
• Any trouble they got into while incarcerated.

The Board reviews its standards every other year and takes care to make changes where necessary. They report these changes to the regular session of the Legislature.

Subpoena Power

The State Board of Parole Commissioners has a right to subpoena witnesses and to compel the production of papers and books. If anyone refuses to adhere to the subpoena, the Board will petition the district court to compel them on the Board’s behalf. If the witness fails to obey the court order, they’ll be dealt with as in contempt of court.

Victim Notification Hotline

The State of Nevada Department of Corrections offers an automated victim information and notification system. Victims who wish to be notified of when their offenders are paroled or put on probation can submit their request to be put in this automated system. For more information, call 1-888-2NV-VINE (1-888-268-8463).