Victim Notification Program MissionThis program began in 1991 after the State of Wyoming enacted the Wyoming Victim Bill of Rights. Our mission is to keep victims of crime, or other individuals that have participated in the prosecution of a case, informed and involved while the offender is under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Department of Corrections.
The Purpose of the Victim Notification ProgramThe Victim Notification Program provides victims, key witnesses, prosecutors' office members, victim/witness coordinators, and advocates, who were actually involved in the criminal prosecution of a case, notification of that offender's status (see Information That We Can Provide). The notification is provided only on felony offenders who are initially sentenced to, and incarcerated in, adult correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Department of Corrections. Note: This program does NOT provide notification regarding misdemeanant offenders sentenced to jail, or on offenders placed on probation. If you wish to participate in this program, you must complete a "Notification of Rights and Request Form" (see How to Register). You will have the option to receive either written notification through the postal service, or e-mail notification, but NOT both. In emergency situations, you will be contacted by telephone. How To Register as a VictimIf you are the victim of a crime, surviving family member, parent/legal guardian of a victim, or have participated in the criminal prosecution of a case, and you wish to receive information regarding an offender, you MUST notify the Victim Notification Program in the following manner:
Notification will begin once it has been verified that you are entitled to notification and the Wyoming Department of Corrections has your request form on file. All information provided on the Victim Bill of Rights Notification Request Form (including information requests, identify of requestors, and contact information) is CONFIDENTIAL.Information That We Can ProvideIf you are the victim of a crime, surviving family member, parent/legal guardian of a victim, or have participated in the criminal prosecution of a case, AND you complete and submit the “Notification of Rights and Request Form" you will be able to receive the information listed below from each respective agency. Click here to access the form online, complete it and print it.
Department of Corrections (incarceration matters) 1. Commencement of sentence and location 2. Anticipated release date 3. Work release 4. Escape/Recapture 5. Death of offender 6. Reductions or extensions of sentence 7. Change in location (both while incarcerated and on parole) 8. Furloughs 9. * Notice and opportunity to provide input prior to offender’s acceptance to a Community Corrections program Board of Parole (parole matters) 1. * Notice and opportunity to provide input into parole hearings 2. * Restitution matters 3. Granting or modification of parole 4. Pending revocation of parole 5. Absconsion/Apprehension 6. Rescission of parole 7. Discharge from parole 8. Notice and opportunity to provide input regarding pending commutations Attorney General’s Office 1. Application for pardon 2. Appeal of offender’s case NOTE: The items listed with an * allow for the opportunity to provide input into Community Corrections placement, Parole Board hearings, and restitution matters. This is afforded only to those individuals who are the actual victims of the crime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)1. What does an inmate’s sentence meanVictims, survivors, and others often want to know how long an offender will stay in prison. Factors used in determining the length of time include the court-ordered sentence, jail credit and the amount of good time the inmate earns under Wyoming’s “good time” system. Upon an inmate’s arrival, the prison’s Records Office reviews the court order(s) and calculates the minimum and maximum length of sentence as stipulated. Any time spent incarcerated prior to the sentencing date is usually credited toward the minimum and maximum sentence. When ordered by the court, the inmate may serve multiple sentences concurrently (at the same time) or consecutively (one after another). Inmates sentenced to consecutive prison terms remain incarcerated until the final sentence has been served. 2. What is Good Time? Offenders sentenced to incarceration in a Wyoming state correctional facility are eligible to earn good time allowances which can reduce their minimum and maximum sentence by up to fifteen (15) days per month for each month served on a sentence unless it is a life sentence or a death sentence. The ability to receive good time allowance is directly affected by an inmate’s adherence to the rules and participation in assigned work and programming.
Contracted Facilities:
4. What determines where an inmate will be housed? Wyoming uses a classification tool to safely maintain inmates by identifying their security and program needs. Each inmate is rated according to several factors. These include public risk (security needs), institutional risk (custody needs), medical and health care needs, mental health needs, training and programming needs, substance abuse educational needs, education needs, vocational training needs, and work skills. With safety and security as priorities, risks to the public and the prison environment are always addressed first. Wyoming Victim Bill of Rights
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)Automated Victim Notification SystemIn addition to written notification through the Wyoming Department of Corrections' Victim Notification Program, Wyoming has implemented a statewide automated victim information and notification service (VINE). Wyoming VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) helps victims of crime obtain information about the custody status of their offender. VINE is a free service that is available 24-hours a day. VINE is available in English and Spanish and all registrations are confidential. For information about VINE or to register call 1.866.994.8463 or visit https://www.vinelink.com
Other Resources and LinksWyoming Division of Victim ServicesFor other victim services and questions about victim compensation Telephone 307.777.7200, or click here https://sites.google.com/a/wyo.gov/wy-ag/victim-services-home-page Wyoming Board of Parole: For information about the Wyoming Board of Parole, parole hearings, and parole supervision Telephone: 307.777.5444, or click here http://boardofparole.wyo.gov/ National Center for Victims of Crime: 1.855-484-2846, or click here https://victimsofcrime.org/ Contact Victim Services: Please click on the appropriate link on the left side of this page to access the information you need. We are always here to help you. If you have any questions; or need more information, please contact us.
|