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DOC Communications, 608-240-5060
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Department of Corrections Recognizes Crime Victims’ Rights Week
MADISON— Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Jon Litscher joined law enforcement, victim advocates, and others in commemorating Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The week honors those who have been impacted by crime and highlights programs and services available to victims, witnesses, and survivors in Wisconsin.
Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed April 8th to 14th as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Wisconsin. This week recognizes the rights available to victims, witnesses, and survivors of crime under the Wisconsin Constitution and Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes, which includes the Crime Victim and Witness Bill of Rights. These protections ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect for their privacy. Additionally, state law requires victim input to be considered throughout the criminal justice process and affirms victims’ ability to participate in court proceedings.
DOC Secretary Litscher said: “Advocating for victims of crime is integral to our Department’s mission. We have a dedicated team of specialists who work with victims every day, advocating for them and working within the Department of Corrections and local communities to ensure that their voices are heard. ”
The Department of Corrections’ Office of Victim Services and Programs has victim advocates in Madison and Milwaukee who work on behalf of victims who have enrolled to receive information from DOC regarding perpetrators. There are approximately 30,000 crime victims enrolled in VOICE for Victims, DOC’s victim notification system, which includes 2,677 victims who enrolled in 2017. Once enrolled, victims can receive notifications regarding the release of an offender from a correctional facility, changes in supervision status, changes of address for sex offenders, parole hearing information, revocations, and discharge from community supervision.
Members of the public can also enroll in VINELink to receive information regarding the custody status of offenders in Wisconsin county jails and to be notified when protective orders have been served.
Crime victims and survivors can also choose to participate in restorative justice programming, including victim-offender dialogues or speaking to staff and inmates about their experiences.
NOTE TO MEDIA: The Department of Corrections will have employees available in Madison to speak with members of the media about Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
