259-I - Procedures for the conduct of the work of the state board of parole.
§ 259-i. Procedures for the conduct of the work of the state board of parole. 1. Establishment of minimum periods of imprisonment. (a) In any case where a person is received in an institution under the jurisdiction of the department of correctional services with an indeterminate sentence, and the court has not fixed a minimum period of imprisonment, the board shall cause to be brought before one or more members in accordance with the rules of the board within one hundred twenty days from the date on which such person is received in an institution under the jurisdiction of the department of correctional services pursuant to such sentence or as soon thereafter as practicable, all information with regard to such persons referred to in subdivision three of section two hundred fifty-nine-c of this article. The member or members receiving such information shall study the same and shall personally interview the sentenced person. Upon conclusion of the interview, he shall determine the minimum period of imprisonment to be served prior to parole consideration in accordance with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision four of section two hundred fifty-nine-c of this article. Such guidelines shall include (i) the seriousness of the offense with due consideration to the type of sentence, length of sentence and recommendations of the sentencing court, the district attorney, the attorney for the inmate, the pre-sentence probation report as well as consideration of any mitigating and aggravating factors, and activities following arrest and prior to confinement; and (ii) prior criminal record, including the nature and pattern of offenses, adjustment to any previous probation or parole supervision and institutional confinement. Such determination shall have the same force and effect as a minimum period fixed by a court, except that the board may provide by rule for the making of subsequent determinations reducing such minimum period which shall not be reduced to less than one year. Notification of such determination and of any subsequent determinations and of the reasons therefor shall be furnished in writing to the sentenced person and to the person in charge of the institution as soon as practicable. Such reasons shall be given in detail and not in conclusory terms. (b) In any case where the minimum period of imprisonment is fixed independent of the criteria adopted by the board pursuant to subdivision four of section two hundred fifty-nine-c of this article, written reasons shall be given for such determination in detail and not in conclusory terms. 2. Parole. * (a) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, at least one month prior to the date on which an inmate may be paroled pursuant to subdivision one of section 70.40 of the penal law, a member or members as determined by the rules of the board shall personally interview such inmate and determine whether he should be paroled in accordance with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision four of section two hundred fifty-nine-c of this article. If parole is not granted upon such review, the inmate shall be informed in writing within two weeks of such appearance of the factors and reasons for such denial of parole. Such reasons shall be given in detail and not in conclusory terms. The board shall specify a date not more than twenty-four months from such determination for reconsideration, and the procedures to be followed upon reconsideration shall be the same. If the inmate is released, he shall be given a copy of the conditions of parole. Such conditions shall where appropriate, include a requirement that the parolee comply with any restitution order, mandatory surcharge, sex offender registration fee and DNA databank fee previously imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction that applies to the parolee. The board of parole shall indicate which restitution collection agency establishedunder subdivision eight of section 420.10 of the criminal procedure law, shall be responsible for collection of restitution, mandatory surcharge, sex offender registration fees and DNA databank fees as provided for in section 60.35 of the penal law and section eighteen hundred nine of the vehicle and traffic law. (ii) Any inmate who is scheduled for presumptive release pursuant to section eight hundred six of the correction law shall not appear before the parole board as provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph unless such inmate's scheduled presumptive release is forfeited, canceled, or rescinded subsequently as provided in such law. In such event, the inmate shall appear before the parole board for release consideration as provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph as soon thereafter as is practicable. * NB Effective until September 1, 2011 * (a) At least one month prior to the expiration of the minimum period or periods of imprisonment fixed by the court or board, a member or members as determined by the rules of the board shall personally interview an inmate serving an indeterminate sentence and determine whether he should be paroled at the expiration of the minimum period or periods in accordance with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision four of section two hundred fifty-nine-c. If parole is not granted upon such review, the inmate shall be informed in writing within two weeks of such appearance of the factors and reasons for such denial of parole. Such reasons shall be given in detail and not in conclusory terms. The board shall specify a date not more than twenty-four months from such determination for reconsideration, and the procedures to be followed upon reconsideration shall be the same. If the inmate is released, he shall be given a copy of the conditions of parole. Such conditions shall where appropriate, include a requirement that the parolee comply with any restitution order and mandatory surcharge previously imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction that applies to the parolee. The board of parole shall indicate which restitution collection agency established under subdivision eight of section 420.10 of the criminal procedure law, shall be responsible for collection of restitution and mandatory surcharge as provided for in section 60.35 of the penal law and section eighteen hundred nine of the vehicle and traffic law. * NB Effective September 1, 2011 (b) Persons presumptively released, paroled, conditionally released or released to post-release supervision from an institution under the jurisdiction of the department of correctional services or the department of mental hygiene shall, while on presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, be in the legal custody of the division of parole until expiration of the maximum term or period of sentence, or expiration of the period of supervision, including any period of post-release supervision, or return to the custody of the department of correctional services, as the case may be. (c) (A) Discretionary release on parole shall not be granted merely as a reward for good conduct or efficient performance of duties while confined but after considering if there is a reasonable probability that, if such inmate is released, he will live and remain at liberty without violating the law, and that his release is not incompatible with the welfare of society and will not so deprecate the seriousness of his crime as to undermine respect for law. In making the parole release decision, the guidelines adopted pursuant to subdivision four of section two hundred fifty-nine-c of this article shall require that the following be considered: (i) the institutional record including program goals and accomplishments, academic achievements, vocational education,training or work assignments, therapy and interpersonal relationships with staff and inmates; (ii) performance, if any, as a participant in a temporary release program; (iii) release plans including community resources, employment, education and training and support services available to the inmate; (iv) any deportation order issued by the federal government against the inmate while in the custody of the department of correctional services and any recommendation regarding deportation made by the commissioner of the department of correctional services pursuant to section one hundred forty-seven of the correction law; (v) any statement made to the board by the crime victim or the victim's representative, where the crime victim is deceased or is mentally or physically incapacitated; and (vi) the length of the determinate sentence to which the inmate would be subject had he or she received a sentence pursuant to section 70.70 or section 70.71 of the penal law for a felony defined in article two hundred twenty or article two hundred twenty-one of the penal law. The board shall provide toll free telephone access for crime victims. In the case of an oral statement made in accordance with subdivision one of section 440.50 of the criminal procedure law, the parole board member shall present a written report of the statement to the parole board. A crime victim's representative shall mean the crime victim's closest surviving relative, the committee or guardian of such person, or the legal representative of any such person. Such statement submitted by the victim or victim's representative may include information concerning threatening or intimidating conduct toward the victim, the victim's representative, or the victim's family, made by the person sentenced and occurring after the sentencing. Such information may include, but need not be limited to, the threatening or intimidating conduct of any other person who or which is directed by the person sentenced. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, in making the parole release decision for persons whose minimum period of imprisonment was not fixed pursuant to the provisions of subdivision one of this section, in addition to the factors listed in this paragraph the board shall consider the factors listed in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section. (B) Where a crime victim or victim's representative as defined in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, or other person submits to the parole board a written statement concerning the release of an inmate, the parole board shall keep that individual's name and address confidential. (d) (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subdivision, after the inmate has served his minimum period of imprisonment imposed by the court, or at any time after the inmate's period of imprisonment has commenced for an inmate serving a determinate or indeterminate term of imprisonment, provided that the inmate has had a final order of deportation issued against him and provided further that the inmate is not convicted of either an A-I felony offense other than an A-I felony offense as defined in article two hundred twenty of the penal law or a violent felony offense as defined in section 70.02 of the penal law, if the inmate is subject to deportation by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, in addition to the criteria set forth in paragraph (c) of this subdivision, the board may consider, as a factor warranting earlier release, the fact that such inmate will be deported, and may grant parole from an indeterminate sentence or release for deportation from a determinate sentence to such inmate conditioned specifically on his prompt deportation. The board may make such conditional grant of early parole from an indeterminate sentence or release for deportation from a determinate sentence only where it has received from the United States Immigration andNaturalization Service assurance (A) that an order of deportation will be executed or that proceedings will promptly be commenced for the purpose of deportation upon release of the inmate from the custody of the department of correctional services, and (B) that the inmate, if granted parole or release for deportation pursuant to this paragraph, will not be released from the custody of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, unless such release be as a result of deportation without providing the board a reasonable opportunity to arrange for execution of its warrant for the retaking of such person. (ii) An inmate who has been granted parole from an indeterminate sentence or release for deportation from a determinate sentence pursuant to this paragraph shall be delivered to the custody of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service along with the board's warrant for his retaking to be executed in the event of his release from such custody other than by deportation. In the event that such person is not deported, the board shall execute the warrant, effect his return to the custody of the department of correctional services and within sixty days after such return, provided that the person is serving an indeterminate sentence and the minimum period of imprisonment has been served, personally interview him to determine whether he should be paroled in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subdivision. The return of a person granted parole from an indeterminate sentence or release for deportation from a determinate sentence pursuant to this paragraph for the reason set forth herein shall not be deemed to be a parole delinquency and the interruptions specified in subdivision three of section 70.40 of the penal law shall not apply, but the time spent in the custody of the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service shall be credited against the term of the sentence in accordance with the rules specified in paragraph (c) of that subdivision. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any inmate granted parole from an indeterminate sentence or release for deportation from a determinate sentence pursuant to this paragraph who is subsequently committed to the custody of the department of correctional services for a felony offense committed after release pursuant to this paragraph shall have his parole eligibility date on the indeterminate sentence for the new felony offense, or his conditional release date on the determinate sentence for the new felony offense, as the case may be, extended by the amount of time between the date on which such inmate was released from the custody of the department of correctional services pursuant to this paragraph and the date on which such inmate would otherwise have completed service of the minimum period of imprisonment on the prior felony offense. (e) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the determination to parole an inmate who has successfully completed the shock incarceration program pursuant to section two hundred sixty-seven of the correction law may be made without a personal interview of the inmate and shall be made in accordance with procedures set forth in the rules of the board. If parole is not granted, the time period for reconsideration shall not exceed the court imposed minimum. 3. Revocation of presumptive release, parole, conditional release and post-release supervision. (a) (i) If the parole officer having charge of a presumptively released, paroled or conditionally released person or a person released to post-release supervision or a person received under the uniform act for out-of-state parolee supervision shall have reasonable cause to believe that such person has lapsed into criminal ways or company, or has violated one or more conditions of his presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, such parole officer shall report such fact to a member ofthe board of parole, or to any officer of the division designated by the board, and thereupon a warrant may be issued for the retaking of such person and for his temporary detention in accordance with the rules of the board. The retaking and detention of any such person may be further regulated by rules and regulations of the division not inconsistent with this article. A warrant issued pursuant to this section shall constitute sufficient authority to the superintendent or other person in charge of any jail, penitentiary, lockup or detention pen to whom it is delivered to hold in temporary detention the person named therein; except that a warrant issued with respect to a person who has been released on medical parole pursuant to section two hundred fifty-nine-r of this article and whose parole is being revoked pursuant to paragraph (h) of subdivision four of such section shall constitute authority for the immediate placement of the parolee only into the custody of the department of correctional services to hold in temporary detention. A warrant issued pursuant to this section shall also constitute sufficient authority to the person in charge of a drug treatment campus, as defined in subdivision twenty of section two of the correction law, to hold the person named therein, in accordance with the procedural requirements of this section, for a period of at least ninety days to complete an intensive drug treatment program mandated by the board of parole as an alternative to presumptive release or parole or conditional release revocation, or the revocation of post-release supervision, and shall also constitute sufficient authority for return of the person named therein to local custody to hold in temporary detention for further revocation proceedings in the event said person does not successfully complete the intensive drug treatment program. The board's rules shall provide for cancellation of delinquency and restoration to supervision upon the successful completion of the program. (ii) A warrant issued for a presumptive release, a parole, a conditional release or a post-release supervision violator may be executed by any parole officer or any officer authorized to serve criminal process or any peace officer, who is acting pursuant to his special duties, or police officer. Any such officer to whom such warrant shall be delivered is authorized and required to execute such warrant by taking such person and having him detained as provided in this paragraph. (iii) Where the alleged violator is detained in another state pursuant to such warrant and is not under parole supervision pursuant to the uniform act for out-of-state parolee supervision or where an alleged violator under parole supervision pursuant to the uniform act for out-of-state parolee supervision is detained in a state other than the receiving state, the warrant will not be deemed to be executed until the alleged violator is detained exclusively on the basis of such warrant and the division of parole has received notification that the alleged violator (A) has formally waived extradition to this state or (B) has been ordered extradited to this state pursuant to a judicial determination. The alleged violator will not be considered to be within the convenience and practical control of the division of parole until the warrant is deemed to be executed. (b) A person who shall have been taken into custody pursuant to this subdivision for violation of one or more conditions of presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision shall, insofar as practicable, be incarcerated in the county or city in which the arrest occurred. (c) (i) Within fifteen days after the warrant for retaking and temporary detention has been executed, unless the releasee has been convicted of a new crime committed while under presumptive release,parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, the board of parole shall afford the alleged presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision violator a preliminary revocation hearing before a hearing officer designated by the board of parole. Such hearing officer shall not have had any prior supervisory involvement over the alleged violator. (ii) The preliminary presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision revocation hearing shall be conducted at an appropriate correctional facility, or such other place reasonably close to the area in which the alleged violation occurred as the board may designate. (iii) The alleged violator shall, within three days of the execution of the warrant, be given written notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing unless he or she is detained pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision. In those instances, the alleged violator will be given written notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing within five days of the execution of the warrant. The notice shall state what conditions of presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision are alleged to have been violated, and in what manner; that such person shall have the right to appear and speak in his or her own behalf; that he or she shall have the right to introduce letters and documents; that he or she may present witnesses who can give relevant information to the hearing officer; that he or she has the right to confront the witnesses against him or her. Adverse witnesses may be compelled to attend the preliminary hearing unless the prisoner has been convicted of a new crime while on supervision or unless the hearing officer finds good cause for their non-attendance. As far as practicable or feasible, any additional documents having been collected or prepared that support the charge shall be delivered to the alleged violator. (iv) The preliminary hearing shall be scheduled to take place no later than fifteen days from the date of execution of the warrant. The standard of proof at the preliminary hearing shall be probable cause to believe that the presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person under post-release supervision has violated one or more conditions of his or her presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision in an important respect. Proof of conviction of a crime committed while under supervision shall constitute probable cause for the purposes of this section. (v) At the preliminary hearing, the hearing officer shall review the violation charges with the alleged violator, direct the presentation of evidence concerning the alleged violation, receive the statements of witnesses and documentary evidence on behalf of the prisoner, and allow cross examination of those witnesses in attendance. (vi) At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the hearing officer shall inform the alleged violator of his or her decision as to whether there is probable cause to believe that the presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person on post-release supervision has violated one or more conditions of his or her release in an important respect. Based solely on the evidence adduced at the hearing, the hearing officer shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that such person has violated his or her presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision in an important respect. The hearing officer shall in writing state the reasons for his or her determination and the evidence relied on. A copy of the written findings shall be sent to both the alleged violator and his or her counsel.(vii) If the hearing officer is satisfied that there is no probable cause to believe that such person has violated one or more conditions of release in an important respect, he or she shall dismiss the notice of violation and direct such person be restored to supervision. (viii) If the hearing officer is satisfied that there is probable cause to believe that such person has violated one or more conditions of release in an important respect, he or she shall so find. * (d) If a finding of probable cause is made pursuant to this subdivision either by a determination at a preliminary hearing or by the waiver thereof, or if the releasee has been convicted of a new crime while under presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, the board's rules shall provide for (i) declaring such person to be delinquent as soon as practicable and shall require reasonable and appropriate action to make a final determination with respect to the alleged violation or (ii) ordering such person to be restored to presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision under such circumstances as it may deem appropriate or (iii) when a presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person on post-release supervision has been convicted of a new felony committed while under such supervision and a new indeterminate or determinate sentence has been imposed, the board's rules shall provide for a final declaration of delinquency. The inmate shall then be notified in writing that his release has been revoked on the basis of the new conviction and a copy of the commitment shall accompany said notification. The inmate's next appearance before the board shall be governed by the legal requirements of said new indeterminate or determinate sentence, or shall occur as soon after a final reversal of the conviction as is practicable. * NB Effective until September 1, 2011 * (d) If a finding of probable cause is made pursuant to this subdivision either by determination at a preliminary hearing or by the waiver thereof, or if the releasee has been convicted of a new crime while under his present parole or conditional release supervision, the board's rules shall provide for (i) declaring such person to be delinquent as soon as practicable and shall require reasonable and appropriate action to make a final determination with respect to the alleged violation or (ii) ordering such person to be restored to parole supervision under such circumstances as it may deem appropriate or (iii) when a parolee or conditional releasee has been convicted of a new felony committed while under his present parole or conditional release supervision and a new indeterminate sentence has been imposed, the board's rules shall provide for a final declaration of delinquency. The inmate shall then be notified in writing that his release has been revoked on the basis of the new conviction and a copy of the commitment shall accompany said notification. The inmate's next appearance before the board shall be governed by the legal requirements of said new indeterminate sentence, or shall occur as soon after a final reversal of the conviction as is practicable. * NB Effective September 1, 2011 (e) (i) If the alleged violator requests a local revocation hearing, he or she shall be given a revocation hearing reasonably near the place of the alleged violation or arrest if he or she has not been convicted of a crime committed while under supervision. However, the board may, on its own motion, designate a case for a local revocation hearing. (ii) If there are two or more alleged violations, the hearing may be conducted near the place of the violation chiefly relied upon as a basis for the issuance of the warrant as determined by the board.(iii) If a local revocation hearing is not ordered pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph the alleged violator shall be given a revocation hearing upon his or her return to a state correctional facility. (f) (i) Revocation hearings shall be scheduled to be held within ninety days of the probable cause determination. However, if an alleged violator requests and receives any postponement of his revocation hearing, or consents to a postponed revocation proceeding initiated by the board, or if an alleged violator, by his actions otherwise precludes the prompt conduct of such proceedings, the time limit may be extended. (ii) The revocation hearing shall be conducted by a presiding officer who may be a member or a hearing officer designated by the board in accordance with rules of the board. (iii) Both the alleged violator and an attorney who has filed a notice of appearance on his behalf in accordance with the rules of the board of parole shall be given written notice of the date, place and time of the hearing as soon as possible but at least fourteen days prior to the scheduled date. (iv) The alleged violator shall be given written notice of the rights enumerated in subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (c) of this subdivision as well as of his right to present mitigating evidence relevant to restoration to presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision and his right to counsel. (v) The alleged violator shall be permitted representation by counsel at the revocation hearing. In any case where such person is financially unable to retain counsel, the criminal court of the city of New York, the county court or district court in the county where the violation is alleged to have occurred or where the hearing is held, shall assign counsel in accordance with the county or city plan for representation placed in operation pursuant to article eighteen-B of the county law. He shall have the right to confront and cross-examine adverse witnesses, unless there is good cause for their non-attendance as determined by the presiding officer; present witnesses and documentary evidence in defense of the charges; and present witnesses and documentary evidence relevant to the question whether reincarceration of the alleged violator is appropriate. (vi) At the revocation hearing, the charges shall be read and the alleged violator shall be permitted to plead not guilty, guilty, guilty with explanation or to stand mute. As to each charge, evidence shall be introduced through witnesses and documents, if any, in support of that charge. At the conclusion of each witness's direct testimony, he shall be made available for cross-examination. If the alleged violator intends to present a defense to the charges or to present evidence of mitigating circumstances, the alleged violator shall do so after presentation of all the evidence in support of a violation of presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision. (vii) All persons giving evidence at the revocation hearing shall be sworn before giving any testimony as provided by law. (viii) At the conclusion of the hearing the presiding officer may sustain any or all of the violation charges or may dismiss any or all violation charges. He may sustain a violation charge only if the charge is supported by a preponderance of the evidence adduced. (ix) If the presiding officer is not satisfied that there is a preponderance of evidence in support of the violation, he shall dismiss the violation, cancel the delinquency and restore the person to presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision.(x) If the presiding officer is satisfied that there is a preponderance of evidence that the alleged violator violated one or more conditions of release in an important respect, he or she shall so find. For each violation so found, the presiding officer may (A) direct that the presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person serving a period of post-release supervision be restored to supervision; (B) as an alternative to reincarceration, direct the presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person serving a period of post-release supervision be placed in a parole transition facility for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days and subsequent restoration to supervision; (C) in the case of presumptive releasees, parolees or conditional releasees, direct the violator's reincarceration and fix a date for consideration by the board for re-release on presumptive release, or parole or conditional release, as the case may be; or (D) in the case of persons released to a period of post-release supervision, direct the violator's reincarceration up to the balance of the remaining period of post-release supervision, not to exceed five years; provided, however, that a defendant serving a term of post-release supervision for a conviction of a felony sex offense defined in section 70.80 of the penal law may be subject to a further period of imprisonment up to the balance of the remaining period of post-release supervision. Where a date has been fixed for the violator's re-release on presumptive release, parole or conditional release, as the case may be, the board or board member may waive the personal interview between a member or members of the board and the violator to determine the suitability for re-release; provided, however, that the board shall retain the authority to suspend the date fixed for re-release and to require a personal interview based on the violator's institutional record or on such other basis as is authorized by the rules and regulations of the board. If an interview is required, the board shall notify the violator of the time of such interview in accordance with the rules and regulations of the board. If the violator is placed in a parole transition facility or restored to supervision, the presiding officer may impose such other conditions of presumptive release, parole, conditional release, or post-release supervision as he or she may deem appropriate, as authorized by rules of the board. (xi) If the presiding officer sustains any violations, he must prepare a written statement, to be made available to the alleged violator and his counsel, indicating the evidence relied upon and the reasons for revoking presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, and for the disposition made. (g) Revocation of presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision shall not prevent re-parole or re-release provided such re-parole or re-release is not inconsistent with any other provisions of law. When there has been a revocation of the period of post-release supervision imposed on a felony sex offender who owes three years or more on such period imposed pursuant to subdivision two-a of section 70.45 of the penal law, and a time assessment of three years or more has been imposed, the violator shall be reviewed by the board of parole and may be restored to post-release supervision only after serving three years of the time assessment, and only upon a determination by the board of parole made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section. Even if the hearing officer has imposed a time assessment of a certain number of years of three years or more, the violator shall not be released at or before the expiration of that time assessment unless the board authorizes such release, the period of post-release supervision expires, or release is otherwise authorized by law. If a time assessment of less than three years wasimposed upon such a defendant, the defendant shall be released upon the expiration of such time assessment, unless he or she is subject to further imprisonment or confinement under any other law. (h) If the alleged violation is not sustained and the alleged violator is restored to supervision, the interruptions specified in subdivision three of section 70.40 of the penal law shall not apply, but the time spent in custody in any state or local correctional institution shall be credited against the term of the sentence in accordance with the rules specified in paragraph (c) of such subdivision. (i) Where there is reasonable cause to believe that a presumptive releasee, parolee, conditional releasee or person under post-release supervision has absconded from supervision the board may declare such person to be delinquent. This paragraph shall not be construed to deny such person a preliminary revocation hearing upon his retaking, nor to relieve the division of parole of any obligation it may have to exercise due diligence to retake the alleged absconder, nor to relieve the parolee or releasee of any obligation he may have to comply with the conditions of his release. 4. Appeals. (a) Except for determinations made upon preliminary hearings upon allegations of violation of presumptive release, parole, conditional release or post-release supervision, all determinations made pursuant to this section may be appealed in accordance with rules promulgated by the board. Any board member who participated in the decision from which the appeal is taken may not participate in the resolution of that appeal. The rules of the board may specify a time within which any appeal shall be taken and resolved. (b) Upon an appeal to the board, the inmate may be represented by an attorney. Where the inmate is financially unable to provide for his own attorney, upon request an attorney shall be assigned pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (v) of paragraph (f) of subdivision three of this section. 5. Actions of the board. Any action by the board or by a hearing officer pursuant to this article shall be deemed a judicial function and shall not be reviewable if done in accordance with law. 6. Record of proceedings. (a) The board shall provide for the making of a verbatim record of each parole release interview, except where a decision is made to release the inmate to parole supervision, and each preliminary and final revocation hearing, except when the decision of the presiding officer after such hearings result in a dismissal of all charged violations of parole, conditional release or post release supervision. (b) The chairman of the board of parole shall maintain records of all parole interviews and hearings for a period of twenty-five years from the date of the parole release interview or until expiration of the maximum term of sentence. 7. Deaf person before the board. Whenever any deaf person participates in an interview, parole release hearing, preliminary hearing or revocation hearing, there shall be appointed a qualified interpreter who is certified by a recognized national or New York state credentialing authority to interpret the proceedings to and the statements or testimony of such deaf person. The board shall determine a reasonable fee for all such interpreting services, the cost of which shall be a charge upon the division of parole.