The Appalachian Judicial Circuit Victim-Witness Assistance Program, along with the Georgia’s State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Georgia Department of Corrections Office of Victim’s Services, will host a Victims’ Visitors Day for victims of crime and their families this week. The event is Thursday, September 11, 2008 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Gilmer County Courthouse in Ellijay.

“Crime victims and their families will have an opportunity to visit with representatives from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Georgia Department of Corrections,” said Sherri Kirk, victim-witness assistance program director of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. “It gives the victims in our circuit the opportunity to talk about what happened to them, how the crime has impacted their lives, and why the offender should stay in prison and not be paroled. This process gives the victim a voice. Victims have the opportunity to discuss their case in private and to ask questions as they relate to the offender presently incarcerated.”

"Victims Visitors’ Day provides an opportunity for those who have suffered the most from the acts of criminals to have a direct impact on the decision to release that criminal prior to serving his entire sentence,” stated District Attorney Joe W. Hendricks, Jr. of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. “It is important that the voices of victims be heard before making those decisions.”

The opening ceremony will start on Thursday morning at 9:00 A.M. in the Jury Assembly Room on the second floor of the Gilmer County Courthouse. A welcome will be given by District Attorney Joe Hendricks, followed by an invocation by Glenn Arnold, chaplain of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office. L. Gale Bucker, chair of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles will then talk about the importance of the day.

She will be followed by guest speaker, State Representative David Ralston. Roger Queen, former district attorney of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit will also provide remarks. Finally, Senior Judge Brenda Weaver will close the program. The event will then move to the District Attorney’s office.

"Victims’ Visitors Day began out of Governor Perdue's challenge for state agencies to take government out of Atlanta and bring it to the citizens of Georgia," stated Parole Board Chair L. Gale Buckner. “Victims’ Visitors Day is one way the State Board of Pardons and Paroles can bring government to the people, and show our commitment to the Governor’s pledge to change the culture of state government by being more principle-centered, people-focused and customer-friendly. Public safety and victim restoration are priorities among the partner agencies. We are proud to join in a unified approach with fellow partners, as we work together to have a seamless criminal justice system that will better serve the needs of crime victims and their families. This event will give crime victims a voice in the parole process and access to information concerning their offender."

“This will be a special day to remember that victims have rights and should be heard in our criminal justice system,” said Representative David Ralston. “In the past few years, we have made great progress toward giving those who have been victimized by crime a real voice. This program will give an opportunity to highlight some of these measures.”

Appointments are not required, but are strongly encouraged.

“Crime victims and their families in attendance will receive information concerning the current status of their offender and those not already registered to receive current information can register to receive future notification of the offender’s status,” said Sherri Kirk. “By making an appointment, the Parole Board will bring the offender’s file to answer specific questions. Walk-ins are welcome, though. The Parole Board may not be able to answer your specific questions without the file in front of them, but if they can’t answer the questions on Thursday, they will find the answer for the victim when they get back to Atlanta.”

This is the sixth partnership event with Georgia’s State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Georgia Department of Corrections Office of Victim’s Services and the Victim-Witness Assistance Office of the District Attorney. This is the only program for this year; however in 2006 and 2007, the partnership was taken to district attorneys’ offices in the Macon, Conasauga, Eastern, Douglas, Dougherty, and Tifton Judicial Circuits.

“I am honored that they came to us with this idea,” said Kirk. “We are the first rural judicial circuit to have this opportunity and it reflects well on our Victim-Witness Assistance Program.”

For more information on Victim’s Visitors Day or to schedule an appointment, contact Sherri Kirk at (706) 635-5122. The Gilmer County Courthouse is located at 1 Board Street, Ellijay, Georgia 30540.