OAR 255-030-0032: Evidence

(1) The presiding Board member at a Board hearing shall explain the issues to be decided. In the case of a prison term hearing, those issues are set forth in OAR 255-035-0013. In the case of other types of hearings, the issues are set forth in the applicable division of the Board’s administrative rules. (2) Evidence of a type that reasonably prudent persons would commonly rely upon in the conduct of their serious affairs shall be admissible in Board hearings, including: (a) The information set forth in OAR 255-030-0035; (b) Other relevant evidence concerning the inmate that is available. (3) Reliable, probative, and substantial evidence shall support Board orders. Substantial evidence is found when the record, viewed as a whole, would permit a reasonable person to make a particular finding. (4) The Board may exclude evidence if it is: (a) Unduly repetitious; (b) Not of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their serious affairs; (c) Provided by a person, other than a justice system official, without first hand knowledge of the circumstances of the crime that is the subject of the proceeding before the Board; (d) Provided by a person, other than a justice system official, without first hand knowledge of the character of the inmate; (e) Addressing only guilt or innocence; or (f) Irrelevant or immaterial to the decision(s) to be made at that particular hearing. (5) The Board may receive evidence to which the inmate objects. If the presiding Board member does not make rulings on its admissibility during the hearing, the Board shall make findings on the record at the time a final order is issued. (6) Erroneous rulings on evidence shall not preclude Board action on the record unless shown to have substantially prejudiced the rights of the inmate.