South Carolina § 24-21-710 - Film, videotape, or other electronic information may be considered by board in parole determination.

§ 24-21-710. Film, videotape, or other electronic information may be considered by board in parole determination.

(A) Film, videotape, or other electronic information that is both visual and aural, submitted pursuant to this section, must be considered by the Board of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services in making its determination of parole.

(B) Upon receipt of the notice required by law, the following people may submit electronic information:

(1) the victim of the crime for which the prisoner has been sentenced;

(2) the prosecuting solicitor's office; and

(3) the person whose parole is being considered.

(C) The person submitting the electronic information shall provide the Board of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services with the following:

(1) identification of each voice heard and each person seen;

(2) a visual or aural statement of the date the information was recorded; and

(3) the name of the person whose parole eligibility is being considered.

(D) If the film, videotape, or other electronic information is retained by the board, it may be submitted at subsequent parole hearings each time that the submitting person provides a written statement declaring that the information represents the present position of the person who is submitting the information.

(E) The Department of Corrections may install, maintain, and operate a two-way closed circuit television system in one or more correctional institutions of the department that confines persons eligible for parole. The Board of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall install, maintain, and operate closed circuit television systems at locations determined by the board and conduct parole hearings by means of a two-way closed circuit television system provided in this section. A victim of a crime must be allowed access to this system to appear before the board during a parole hearing.

(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit submission of information in other forms as provided by law.

(G) The director of the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services may develop written policies and procedures for parole hearings to be held pursuant to this section.

(H) The Board of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services is not required to install, maintain, or operate film, videotape, or other electronic equipment to record a victim's testimony to be presented to the board.

HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 57, SECTION 1; 2004 Act No. 263, SECTION 14.