Press Release

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Corrections is holding events to recognize Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 6-12. The theme for the 2014 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, with which Virginia’s Crime Victims’ Rights Week coincides, is 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice.

"Our Victim Services Unit (VSU) works closely with crime victims to keep them informed regarding the status of inmates who harmed them and to answer their questions about how the system works," said Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Harold Clarke. "The Victim Services Unit has more than 9,000 victims registered for notification regarding offenders in our custody. In 2013, we registered more than 1,300 new crime victims for notification."

Based on Virginia law, registered victims are notified of inmate transfer, work release, name change, escape, death, release, and parole events. Additional services offered to victims include explanation of the criminal justice process and referrals.

Reaffirming the Department’s commitment to victims of crime, the Victim Services Unit will offer training and information sessions to Department staff and other allied professionals this week. VSU is again hosting a poster challenge for offenders, which encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and to focus on the impact of crime on victims.

This year’s theme, 30 Years: Restoring the Balance of Justice, reminds us how truly critical victim advocacy continues to be for the millions of crime victims who are helped by it each year. Services provided to victims by the Virginia Department of Corrections help to work toward a comprehensive healing environment for everyone.

More information about the VSU and VADOC can be found at www.vadoc.virginia.gov.