Office of Victim Services and Programs

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has made a commitment to reduce criminal behavior and restore a sense of safety to victims and the community. It is our vision to:

• Share ownership for justice through partnerships with the criminal justice system and the community;
• Learn from the community and promote opportunities for the community to learn from us; and
• Hold offenders accountable by requiring them to contribute to the recovery of victims and the community as a whole.

The Department has made a commitment to address the effects of crime on victims and the community and to strengthen community partnerships. The establishment of the Office of Victim Services and Programs within the Department is evidence of this commitment. The Office of Victim Services and Programs is pleased to be able to offer services for victims, victims' family members and the community.

Office of Victim Services and Programs Mission

The Office of Victim Services and Programs is committed to mitigating the effects of crime and advancing the principles and philosophy of restorative justice. It is our mission to address the needs of crime victims, their families and the community through a variety of available services. The Office of Victim Services and Programs will assist in the reparation of the harm created by crime through:

1. Supporting the recovery of victims of crime by providing information and opportunities to participate in the correctional system;
2. Being responsive and sensitive to victims, victims' families and a diverse community;
3. Educating the public on what we do and how we do it;
4. Promoting relationships, credibility, understanding and involvement with the community; and
5. Encouraging that offenders be held accountable for their actions through sanctions, restitution and restoration.

In order to accomplish this Mission, the Office of Victim Services and Programs will:

• Provide comprehensive information, assistance, advocacy and support to those harmed by crime including victims, their families, and communities;
• Integrate victims' rights and services into program planning throughout the Department of Corrections;
• Develop community partnerships to advance the principles of victim services/issues and restorative justice; and
• Develop and maintain a resource center dedicated to victim services/issues and restorative justice.

Services offered through the Office of Victim Services and Programs

• Information, Advocacy, & Referral includes providing information to crime victims on the correctional system or a specific offender, working closely with Parole Commissioners, Probation/Parole Agents, etc. on the victims behalf, and/or referrals for other services/assistance.
• Notification includes communication regarding changes in the offender's status. For example, this can include notification of parole interviews and decisions, release, escape and apprehension, discharge to supervision, etc.
• Restitution includes assistance with questions and concerns related to restitution. If you have not received any restitution payments but believe that you are owed restitution from an offender who is or has been under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, you can submit an unclaimed restitution inquiry.
• Victim Impact Statements allow victims to provide a statement to the Parole Commissioner for review prior to parole consideration.
• Input in the Parole Process provides victims with the opportunity to provide information to the Parole Commission at the time the offender is considered for parole.
• Victim/Offender Conferencing allows victims, if they choose, to speak to the offender in a safe setting with a neutral third party and discuss the impact and circumstances of the crime. Victims have the opportunity at this time to ask questions and to directly express to the offender how the crime has affected them and/or their family.
• Victim/Survivor Speaking at Impact Panels/Classes allows victims to share information with correctional staff and/or offenders about the impact of crime. Victims and victims' families who have chosen to participate in this way have found this to be a healing experience.
• Education & Training on such issues as victims' rights, restorative justice, and the impact of crime for corrections staff, communities, and others.
• Restorative Justice/Victim Services Resource Library includes reference materials that are available for review or loan.
• VOICE stands for "Visual Offender Information Center." VOICE offers enrolled victims access to offender information via the Internet and allows electronic communication. VOICE also offers routine notification to enrolled victims regarding certain changes in the offender's status.
• VINE stands for "Victim Information Notification Everyday." An enrolled victim may access information over the telephone at 1-800-398-2403. VINE is the original automated phone system that victims may continue to use to receive information about offenders.

More information about the Department of Corrections is available at the Department of Corrections Web site.