NEVADA (KTNV) — Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed an emergency directive permitting the Board of Parole Commissioners to conduct virtual parole hearings for all parole-eligible inmates.
Nevada law requires some public participation in certain parole hearings and proceedings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevada’s correctional facilities have limited public access to protect the health and safety of its inmates, making it difficult to hold those parole hearings.
With this directive, parole hearings shall be open to inmate representatives and victims through video conference or telephone access, and an electronic copy of the proceeding will be available to the public upon request. In-person parole hearing rooms shall remain closed to the public until visitation are able to safely resumes within the institutions.
“This directive allows for the continuation of parole hearings during the COVID-19 pandemic, while State facilities are closed to the general public for the health and safety of all Nevadans,” said Gov. Sisolak. “This directive helps balance best practices on social distancing with the urgent need to allow the Parole Board to perform its important duties.”
The directive includes provisions to postpone proceedings until in-person hearings can resume if requested by an eligible inmate or the Board of Parole Commissioners.
This directive will remain in effect until the state of emergency declared on March 12, 2002, is terminated or if the directive is renewed by a subsequent Directive.
