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
• 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.
• 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 victims' 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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Informational Brochures

• How to Reach Us
• A Walk Through the System
• Victim Offender Dialogue Brochure
• Victim Awareness
• Victim Notification
• Full Board Hearings
• Victim Conference Day
• Victim Conference Day - Spanish version
• Letters of Apology
• Transitional Control Program
• Intensive Program Prison
• Execution
• Victim Awareness Program Study

Informational Brochures

• Outreach Flyer 1
• Outreach Flyer 2
• Outreach Flyer 3

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 form. (PDF File. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view)

Newsletters

• Office of Victim Services Advocator (April 2009)
• 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)

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Outreach for Victims in Underserved Communities

• Ohio Activity Packet
• Ohio Cultural Competence Training of Trainers PowerPoint
• Immigrant Power and Control Wheel
• Manual for Training of Trainers

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.

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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.

The victim or designated representative wishing to provide additional statements and/or information to the Parole Board and/or Adult Parole Authority should send those documents to:  Office of Victim Services, 770 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH  43222.

Mission

The mission of the Office of Victim Services is to work in partnerships to make a positive difference in the lives of crime victims, by affording them meaningful participation throughout the Ohio corrections process.

VINE - (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)

Victims can also register with VINE in addition to their registration with the Office of Victim Services.  Registering for both systems will allow victims to have the most comprehensive notification services possible.  VINE links county jails and statewide correctional facilities to make the status of offenders available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.  Anyone may call the tollfree VINE hotline to access custody information, available in English and Spanish.  Callers may also register directly with VINE to receive telephone notification of changes in custody.  A live operator is available 24 hours-a-day to assist callers in accessing information or registering for notification.

For defendant custody information, to locate an offender in a county jail, state prison, or state juvenile facility, or to register for notification call 1-800-770-0192.  Follow the computer prompts given by the VINE service.  During registration you will be asked to provide a telephone number and select a 4-digit PIN code.  The PIN is a 4-digit number chosen by you.  Your PIN is used to confirm receipt of notification calls from VINE.  Choose a number that is easy for you to remember and write it down.

When registering for VINE, please have the following information:  offender name, inmate number (for county inmates), or institution number (for state prison or juvenile offenders). 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  What if I'm not at home or my phone is busy when VINE calls?

A.  The VINE service is designed to allow every opportunity for you to be notified.  If there is no answer or the line is busy, VINE will continue to call for a minimum of 24 hours.  VINE will leave a message on an answering machine but will continue to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.

Q.  Can I register more than one telephone number with VINE?

A.  Yes, but each registration must be done separately and requires a PIN.  You may use the same PIN for several registrations.

Q.  Does VINE ensure my safety?

A.  The VINE program is designed to provide you with quick and easy access to offender information and to assist in preparing for an offender's release.  Do not depend solely on VINE or any other program for your safety.

Q.  Who sponsors VINE?

A.  VINE is provided by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's Office, the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Ohio Department of Youth Services and is funded by a Victims of Crime Act grant.

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