Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Office of Victim Services

What Services are Available for Victims of Crime?

• Crisis intervention and advocacy throughout the corrections process, including assisting victims with concerns related to inmates and parolees under our jurisdiction.
• Information regarding status of inmates in prison or under supervision of the Department's Adult Parole Authority.
• Community education about policies and procedures of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
• Referrals to other state and community services.

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Resources for Victims

• Search Ohio's Offender Database
• National Victim Service Organizations
• State of Ohio Government Agencies
• Other Departments of Corrections' Victim Services
• State Coalitions
• On-Line Victims' Resources
• Victim notification. (PDF File. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view)
• The Bridge, Office of Victim Services newsletter (May 2005, Vol. 3, Issue 1)
• The Bridge, Office of Victim Services newsletter (May 2004, Vol. 2, Issue 1)
• The Bridge, Office of Victim Services newsletter (May 2003, Vol. 1, Issue 1)
• Victim Offender Dialogue Brochure
• Office of Victim Services Brochure

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How did the Office of Victim Services Develop?

In the early 1980's, the Ohio Parole Board began notifying victims, who requested, of upcoming parole hearings. The Parole Board began involving victims and immediately recognized the value of their input into the decision-making process. This was strengthened in 1987 by Senate Bill 6, which gave victims of serious crime the right to submit a statement to the Parole Board about their experience prior to the offender's hearing. By late 1994, the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction began developing a plan to provide comprehensive victim services throughout the Department. Senate Bill 2, the "truth in sentencing" bill, effective July 1, 1996, took another step forward in helping transform the criminal justice system into the victim's justice system. This bill mandates that victims have input from the time of an arrest through trial and sentencing, incarceration, and for any type of early release. Senate Bill 2 also formally created the Office of Victim Services within the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, strengthening the plans already developing within the Department.

Other Activities of the Office of Victim Services

• Petitions the Parole Board for Full Board hearings as appropriate.
• Monitors network of Victim Coordinators located in each prison and Adult Parole Authority district office throughout the state, serving as liaisons for the Office of Victim Services.
• Provides education to Department staff to increase awareness of victim's issues.
• Assists Parole Board and Adult Parole Authority's parole and probation staff in identifying victims' issues and provides input into decision-making process as appropriate.
• Facilitates meetings of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Ohio Council on Victims Justice.

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Ohio Council on Victims Justice

The Ohio Council on Victims Justice plays an active role in the Department's efforts to improve victim services. They provide input and make suggestions for operational changes that impact victims and serve as liaisons between the Department and the constituents of Council members.

Victim Coordinators - Institutions and Parole Offices

(Click to view locations)

Each correctional institution and parole office has a staff assigned to serve as the "victim coordinator." These staff respond to victim issues and concerns at the local level and serve as liaisons to the Office of Victim Services.

Parole Board Victim Notification Section

In addition to the above services, victims of inmates incarcerated in Ohio's prisons may register with the Victim Notification Section of the Parole Board. They are notified prior to any release consideration of the inmate. At this time they may either write to the Board or personally voice their concerns in an interview with a Parole Board staff member. A "victims' conference day" is held once a month for this purpose.

Mission

The Office of Victim Services builds mutual understanding and open communication among the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction employees, victims, their families, and community victim groups. The office facilitates victims' access to the Department by giving them opportunities to participate in decisions concerning an offender's liberty, and by providing them support and information as needed.

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