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Corrections

Victim/Witness advocates can assist victims within any area of the correctional process (i.e., probation, prison, parole). Specifically, this may include, but is not limited to, information/advocacy regarding the offender's;

  • probation status
      probation officer name/#;
      restitution paid or owed;
      community service placement (agency), offender attitude, hours completed vs. total;
      victim impact statement as part of Pre-Sentence Investigation report.
  • prison status
      inmate facility/placement;
      conduct in prison - disciplinary problems, counseling, education initiatives, etc.;
      notification procedures regarding inmate's release.
  • parole status
      parole officer name;
      parole eligibility and/or hearing date;
      written victim impact statement and submission date;
      oral statement to parole board;
      notification procedures regarding above.

Probation - probation supervision only (no prison) may be included in the sentence imposed. Or, if the offender is sentenced to prison for one year or less, he may be supervised by probation for a specified period of time upon his release. Locally, the Erie County Probation Department is charged with supervising all offenders in this regard.

NYS Department of Correctional Services
Office of Victim Services
1220 Washington Ave. Building 2
Albany, NY 12226
1-800-783-6059
(518)402-6600

The NYS D.O.C.S. Office of Victim Services along with the NY Sheriffs' Victim Hotline operates the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) Program. VINE is an automated system that enables victims to use their touch-tone phones, toll-free, to obtain information relating to the crime, sentence, facility location and earliest possible release date of convicted adult offenders in the custody of the NYS Department of Correctional Services, NY City Department of Correction and each of the 58 county correctional facilities. Using VINE, a caller (victim) may also register a telephone number for confidential automatic notification of the inmate's release from custody, death, transfer to work release, escape or participation in a temporary leave from a facility (furlough). The palm cards provide detailed information regarding accessing the VINE system. The VINE number is 1-888-VINE-4NY (1-888-846-3469).

Additionally, the NYS D.O.C.S. operates the Inmate Lookup on the Internet at www.docs.state.ny.us Accessing this web page provides even more detailed information regarding current inmates and parolees and anyone who was in the state prison system anytime since the late 1970's.

A victim can also request notification regarding an inmate's release from a correctional institution via written (certified mail) notice. The NYS D.O.C.S. form 3617 "Victim Demand - Notice of Inmate's Release" must be forwarded to D.O.C.S. from a District Attorney's Office. Victim/Witness staff can assist with the completion of form 3617, however, the victim (requestor) must sign and date the form.

Parole - parole supervision is a condition of the offender's release from prison when the term of imprisonment is more than one year. If the offender is released prior to the maximum prison time imposed at sentencing, they will be supervised by parole for the remainder of that time until the maximum is reached. Locally, the NYS Division of Parole is charged with supervising all offenders in this regard.

NYS Division of Parole
Victim Impact Unit
97 Central Ave.
Albany, NY 12206
1-800-639-2650
(518)486-4400
(518)473-9659 (fax)

To receive routine notification regarding when an inmate is scheduled to see the Parole Board, to be notified of the Parole Board's decision, and to be notified of the inmate's scheduled release date and the name of the assigned parole officer, a victim must submit a Request for Victim Notification form to the Victim Impact Unit. The notification form also provides additional information regarding written, audio-taped and video-taped victim impact statements as well as making a personal statement (for certain violent crimes only) to a member of the Parole Board.

For further information, assistance, notification procedures and forms regarding probation, prison and/or parole, contact the Victim/Witness staff at 858-4640.