{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-155.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-155.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-155.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-155.html"}],"law_id":83495,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83495,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155","catch_line":"Investigation prior to release; transition assistance","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 53-253; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 1987, c. 668; 1992, c. 222; 1995, cc. 687, 778; 2002, c. 569; 2016, c. 208; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 545; 2023, cc. 805, 806.","full_text":"A\n\nNo person shall be released on parole by the Board until a thorough investigation has been made into the prisoner’s history, physical and mental condition and character, and his conduct, employment, and attitude while in prison. All information collected through such investigation shall be made available to the prisoner or his attorney, provided that (i) neither the prisoner nor his attorney shall further disclose, reproduce, copy, or disseminate such information in any way and (ii) the Board shall redact all personal information of the victim. The Board shall also determine that his release on parole will not be incompatible with the interests of society or of the prisoner. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to persons released on parole pursuant to § 53.1-159.B\n\nAn investigation conducted pursuant to this section shall include notification that a victim may submit to the Virginia Parole Board evidence concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on such victim. This notification shall be sent to the last address provided to the Board by any victim of a crime for which the prisoner was incarcerated. If additional victim research is necessary, electronic notification shall be sent to the attorney for the Commonwealth and the director of the victim\/witness program, if one exists, of the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred. The Board shall endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making any decision to release any inmate on discretionary parole. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated may present to the Board oral, including by virtual means, or written testimony concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on the victim, and the Board shall consider such testimony in its review. Once testimony is submitted by a victim, such testimony shall remain in the prisoner’s parole file and shall be considered by the Board at every parole review. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated may submit a request in writing or by electronic means to the Board to be notified of (i) the prisoner’s parole eligibility date and mandatory release date as determined by the Department of Corrections, (ii) any parole-related interview dates, and (iii) the Board’s decision regarding parole for the prisoner. The victim may request that the Board only notify the victim if, following its review, the Board is inclined to grant parole to the prisoner, in which case the victim shall have 45 days to present written or oral testimony for the Board’s consideration. If the victim has requested to be notified only if the Board is inclined to grant parole and no testimony, either written or oral, is received from the victim within at least 45 days of the date of the Board’s notification, the Board shall render its decision based on information available to it in accordance with subsection A. The definition of victim in § 19.2-11.01 shall apply to this section.\n\t\t\tAlthough any information presented by the victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated shall be retained in the prisoner’s parole file and considered by the Board, such information shall not infringe on the Board’s authority to exercise its decision-making authority.C\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, if a physical or mental examination of a prisoner eligible for parole has been conducted within the last 12 months, and the prisoner has not required medical or psychiatric treatment within a like period while incarcerated, the prisoner may be released on parole by the Parole Board directly from a local correctional facility.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall offer each prisoner to be released on parole or under mandatory release who has been sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of at least three years the opportunity to participate in a transition program within six months of such prisoner’s projected or mandatory release date. The program shall include advice for job training opportunities, recommendations for living a law-abiding life, and financial literacy information. The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall prescribe guidelines to govern these programs.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":299209,"text":"No person shall be released on parole by the Board until a thorough investigation has been made into the prisoner’s history, physical and mental condition and character, and his conduct, employment, and attitude while in prison. All information collected through such investigation shall be made available to the prisoner or his attorney, provided that (i) neither the prisoner nor his attorney shall further disclose, reproduce, copy, or disseminate such information in any way and (ii) the Board shall redact all personal information of the victim. The Board shall also determine that his release on parole will not be incompatible with the interests of society or of the prisoner. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to persons released on parole pursuant to § 53.1-159.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":299210,"text":"An investigation conducted pursuant to this section shall include notification that a victim may submit to the Virginia Parole Board evidence concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on such victim. This notification shall be sent to the last address provided to the Board by any victim of a crime for which the prisoner was incarcerated. If additional victim research is necessary, electronic notification shall be sent to the attorney for the Commonwealth and the director of the victim\/witness program, if one exists, of the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred. The Board shall endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making any decision to release any inmate on discretionary parole. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated may present to the Board oral, including by virtual means, or written testimony concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on the victim, and the Board shall consider such testimony in its review. Once testimony is submitted by a victim, such testimony shall remain in the prisoner’s parole file and shall be considered by the Board at every parole review. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated may submit a request in writing or by electronic means to the Board to be notified of (i) the prisoner’s parole eligibility date and mandatory release date as determined by the Department of Corrections, (ii) any parole-related interview dates, and (iii) the Board’s decision regarding parole for the prisoner. The victim may request that the Board only notify the victim if, following its review, the Board is inclined to grant parole to the prisoner, in which case the victim shall have 45 days to present written or oral testimony for the Board’s consideration. If the victim has requested to be notified only if the Board is inclined to grant parole and no testimony, either written or oral, is received from the victim within at least 45 days of the date of the Board’s notification, the Board shall render its decision based on information available to it in accordance with subsection A. The definition of victim in § 19.2-11.01 shall apply to this section.\n\t\t\tAlthough any information presented by the victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated shall be retained in the prisoner’s parole file and considered by the Board, such information shall not infringe on the Board’s authority to exercise its decision-making authority.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":299211,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, if a physical or mental examination of a prisoner eligible for parole has been conducted within the last 12 months, and the prisoner has not required medical or psychiatric treatment within a like period while incarcerated, the prisoner may be released on parole by the Parole Board directly from a local correctional facility.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall offer each prisoner to be released on parole or under mandatory release who has been sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of at least three years the opportunity to participate in a transition program within six months of such prisoner’s projected or mandatory release date. The program shall include advice for job training opportunities, recommendations for living a law-abiding life, and financial literacy information. The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall prescribe guidelines to govern these programs.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12913,"edition_id":1,"name":"Procedures Governing Parole","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12764,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","permalink":{"id":238979,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12913,"identifier":"3","token":"53.1\/4\/3","url":"\/53.1\/4\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12764,"edition_id":1,"name":"Probation and Parole","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":238889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12764,"identifier":"4","token":"53.1\/4","url":"\/53.1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81762,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-151","catch_line":"Eligibility for parole","url":"\/53.1-151\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-151","metadata":false},{"id":69796,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-152","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced for combinations of felony and misdemeanor offenses","url":"\/53.1-152\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-152","metadata":false},{"id":86338,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-153","catch_line":"Eligibility of persons sentenced to jails for more than twelve months","url":"\/53.1-153\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-153","metadata":false},{"id":67055,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154","catch_line":"Times at which Virginia Parole Board to review cases","url":"\/53.1-154\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154","metadata":false},{"id":59216,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154.1","catch_line":"Authority of Director to recommend parole review; release upon review","url":"\/53.1-154.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154.1","metadata":false},{"id":83495,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155","catch_line":"Investigation prior to release; transition assistance","url":"\/53.1-155\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155","metadata":false},{"id":75651,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155.1","catch_line":"Participation in residential community program prior to final release","url":"\/53.1-155.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155.1","metadata":false},{"id":72544,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-156","catch_line":"Period of parole; not counted as part of term","url":"\/53.1-156\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-156","metadata":false},{"id":70398,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-157","catch_line":"Parolees to comply with terms; furnishing copies","url":"\/53.1-157\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-157","metadata":false},{"id":61822,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-158","catch_line":"Release of prisoner subject to parole","url":"\/53.1-158\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-158","metadata":false},{"id":56156,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-159","catch_line":"Mandatory release on parole","url":"\/53.1-159\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-159","metadata":false},{"id":85833,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160","catch_line":"Notice to be given upon prisoner release, escape, etc","url":"\/53.1-160\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160","metadata":false},{"id":54025,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-160.1","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-160.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-160.1","metadata":false},{"id":81252,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-161","catch_line":"Arrest and return of parolee; warrant; release pending adjudication of violation","url":"\/53.1-161\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-161","metadata":false},{"id":71659,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-162","catch_line":"Arrest of parolee without warrant; written statement","url":"\/53.1-162\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-162","metadata":false},{"id":73932,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-163","catch_line":"Parolee considered as escapee after issuance of warrant","url":"\/53.1-163\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-163","metadata":false},{"id":60291,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-164","catch_line":"Procedure for return of parolee","url":"\/53.1-164\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-164","metadata":false},{"id":66066,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165","catch_line":"Revocation of parole; hearing; procedure for parolee in another state; appointment of attorney","url":"\/53.1-165\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165","metadata":false},{"id":77539,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-165.1","catch_line":"Limitation on the application of parole statutes","url":"\/53.1-165.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-165.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59216,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-154.1","catch_line":"Authority of Director to recommend parole review; release upon review","url":"\/53.1-154.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-154.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75651,"structure_id":12913,"section_number":"53.1-155.1","catch_line":"Participation in residential community program prior to final release","url":"\/53.1-155.1\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-155\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1970, chapter 648; in 1982, chapter 636; in 1987, chapter 668; in 1992, chapter 222; in 1995, chapters 687<\/a> and 778<\/a>; in 2002, chapter 569<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 208<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 805<\/a> and 806<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56192,"section_number":"19.2-11.01","catch_line":"Crime victim and witness rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.01\/"},{"id":76761,"section_number":"19.2-316.4","catch_line":"Eligibility for participation in community corrections alternative program; evaluation; sentencing; withdrawal or removal from program; payment of costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-316.4\/"},{"id":80848,"section_number":"53.1-136","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Board; notice of release of certain inmates; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-136\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":56192,"section_number":"19.2-11.01","catch_line":"Crime victim and witness rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.01\/"}],"permalink":{"id":239001,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83495,"identifier":"53.1-155","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155","url":"\/53.1-155\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-155\/","token":"53.1\/4\/3\/53.1-155","dublin_core":{"Title":"Investigation prior to release; transition assistance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-155","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No person shall be released on parole<\/span> by the Board<\/span> until a thorough investigation has been made into the prisoner’s history, physical and mental condition and character, and his conduct, employment, and attitude while in prison. All information collected through such investigation shall be made available to the prisoner or his attorney, provided that (i) neither the prisoner nor his attorney shall further disclose, reproduce, copy, or disseminate such information in any way and (ii) the Board<\/span> shall redact all personal information of the victim. The Board<\/span> shall also determine that his release on parole<\/span> will not be incompatible with the interests of society or of the prisoner. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to persons released on parole<\/span> pursuant to § 53.1-159<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> An investigation conducted pursuant to this section shall include notification that a victim may submit to the Virginia Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> evidence<\/span> concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on such victim. This notification shall be sent to the last address provided to the Board<\/span> by any victim of a crime<\/span> for which the prisoner was incarcerated. If additional victim research is necessary, electronic notification shall be sent to the attorney for the Commonwealth and the director<\/span> of the victim\/witness<\/span> program, if one exists, of the jurisdiction<\/span> in which the offense<\/span> occurred. The Board<\/span> shall endeavor diligently to contact the victim prior to making any decision to release any inmate on discretionary parole<\/span>. The victim of a crime<\/span> for which the prisoner is incarcerated may present to the Board<\/span> oral, including by virtual means, or written testimony<\/span> concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on the victim, and the Board<\/span> shall consider such testimony<\/span> in its review. Once testimony<\/span> is submitted by a victim, such testimony<\/span> shall remain in the prisoner’s parole<\/span> file and shall be considered by the Board<\/span> at every parole<\/span> review. The victim of a crime<\/span> for which the prisoner is incarcerated may submit a request in writing or by electronic means to the Board<\/span> to be notified of (i) the prisoner’s parole<\/span> eligibility date and mandatory release date as determined by the Department<\/span> of Corrections, (ii) any parole<\/span>-related interview dates, and (iii) the Board<\/span>’s decision regarding parole<\/span> for the prisoner. The victim may request that the Board<\/span> only notify the victim if, following its review, the Board<\/span> is inclined to grant parole<\/span> to the prisoner, in which case the victim shall have 45 days to present written or oral testimony<\/span> for the Board<\/span>’s consideration. If the victim has requested to be notified only if the Board<\/span> is inclined to grant parole<\/span> and no testimony<\/span>, either written or oral, is received from the victim within at least 45 days of the date of the Board<\/span>’s notification, the Board<\/span> shall render its decision based on information available to it in accordance with subsection A. The definition of victim in § 19.2-11.01<\/a> shall apply to this section.\n\t\t\tAlthough any information presented by the victim of a crime<\/span> for which the prisoner is incarcerated shall be retained in the prisoner’s parole<\/span> file and considered by the Board<\/span>, such information shall not infringe on the Board<\/span>’s authority to exercise its decision-making authority. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, if a physical or mental examination of a prisoner eligible for parole<\/span> has been conducted within the last 12 months, and the prisoner has not required medical or psychiatric treatment within a like period while incarcerated, the prisoner may be released on parole<\/span> by the Parole<\/span> Board<\/span> directly from a local correctional facility<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe Department<\/span> shall offer each prisoner to be released on parole<\/span> or under mandatory release who has been sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of at least three years the opportunity to participate in a transition program within six months of such prisoner’s projected or mandatory release date. The program shall include advice for job training opportunities, recommendations for living a law<\/span>-abiding life, and financial literacy information. The Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security shall prescribe guidelines to govern these programs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINVESTIGATION PRIOR TO RELEASE; TRANSITION ASSISTANCE (\u00a7 53.1-155)\n\nA. No person shall be released on parole by the Board until a thorough\ninvestigation has been made into the prisoner’s history, physical and\nmental condition and character, and his conduct, employment, and attitude while\nin prison. All information collected through such investigation shall be made\navailable to the prisoner or his attorney, provided that (i) neither the\nprisoner nor his attorney shall further disclose, reproduce, copy, or\ndisseminate such information in any way and (ii) the Board shall redact all\npersonal information of the victim. The Board shall also determine that his\nrelease on parole will not be incompatible with the interests of society or of\nthe prisoner. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to persons\nreleased on parole pursuant to § 53.1-159.\n\nB. An investigation conducted pursuant to this section shall include\nnotification that a victim may submit to the Virginia Parole Board evidence\nconcerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will have on such victim.\nThis notification shall be sent to the last address provided to the Board by any\nvictim of a crime for which the prisoner was incarcerated. If additional victim\nresearch is necessary, electronic notification shall be sent to the attorney for\nthe Commonwealth and the director of the victim\/witness program, if one exists,\nof the jurisdiction in which the offense occurred. The Board shall endeavor\ndiligently to contact the victim prior to making any decision to release any\ninmate on discretionary parole. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is\nincarcerated may present to the Board oral, including by virtual means, or\nwritten testimony concerning the impact that the release of the prisoner will\nhave on the victim, and the Board shall consider such testimony in its review.\nOnce testimony is submitted by a victim, such testimony shall remain in the\nprisoner’s parole file and shall be considered by the Board at every\nparole review. The victim of a crime for which the prisoner is incarcerated may\nsubmit a request in writing or by electronic means to the Board to be notified\nof (i) the prisoner’s parole eligibility date and mandatory release date\nas determined by the Department of Corrections, (ii) any parole-related\ninterview dates, and (iii) the Board’s decision regarding parole for the\nprisoner. The victim may request that the Board only notify the victim if,\nfollowing its review, the Board is inclined to grant parole to the prisoner, in\nwhich case the victim shall have 45 days to present written or oral testimony\nfor the Board’s consideration. If the victim has requested to be notified\nonly if the Board is inclined to grant parole and no testimony, either written\nor oral, is received from the victim within at least 45 days of the date of the\nBoard’s notification, the Board shall render its decision based on\ninformation available to it in accordance with subsection A. The definition of\nvictim in § 19.2-11.01 shall apply to this section.\n\t\t\tAlthough any information presented by the victim of a crime for which the\nprisoner is incarcerated shall be retained in the prisoner’s parole file\nand considered by the Board, such information shall not infringe on the\nBoard’s authority to exercise its decision-making authority.\n\nC. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, if a physical or mental\nexamination of a prisoner eligible for parole has been conducted within the last\n12 months, and the prisoner has not required medical or psychiatric treatment\nwithin a like period while incarcerated, the prisoner may be released on parole\nby the Parole Board directly from a local correctional facility.\n\t\t\tThe Department shall offer each prisoner to be released on parole or under\nmandatory release who has been sentenced to serve a term of imprisonment of at\nleast three years the opportunity to participate in a transition program within\nsix months of such prisoner’s projected or mandatory release date. The\nprogram shall include advice for job training opportunities, recommendations for\nliving a law-abiding life, and financial literacy information. The Secretary of\nPublic Safety and Homeland Security shall prescribe guidelines to govern these\nprograms.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 53-253; 1970, c. 648; 1982, c. 636; 1987, c. 668; 1992,\nc. 222; 1995, cc. 687, 778; 2002, c. 569; 2016, c. 208; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c.\n545; 2023, cc. 805, 806.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}