Keeping
You
Informed
Truth in Sentencing
and
Release Information
Office of Victim Services and Programs
Department of Corrections
PO Box 7925
Madison WI 53707-7925
TRUTH IN SENTENCING INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS
The Truth in Sentencing law became effective as of December 31, 1999.
What happens when a Judge sentences someone to prison under the Truth in Sentencing law?
Any person who commits a FELONY on or after December 31, 1999, and is sentenced to at least one year of confinement in prison would have their prison time followed by a period of extended supervision upon release.
Offenders will not have their sentence reduced for good behavior and are not eligible for parole; however offenders who violate prison rules may have additional days added to the confinement portion of their sentence. Once an offender completes the confinement portion of the sentence, he/she will be released and will be supervised by a Department of Corrections (DOC) agent. This supervision period is referred to as extended supervision (ES).
EXTENDED SUPERVISION
When released from an institution or correctional center to extended supervision, the offender must report to a Division of Community Corrections Agent. The agent's responsibilities are to enforce the rules of supervision and assist the offender in solving problems.
If the offender violates the rules of supervision, the offender may be placed in jail while the agent investigates the violation. A serious violation may result in an extended supervision revocation, which means the offender will return to an institution or correctional center. If the violation does not result in revocation, the agent may take other action, such as imposing new rules of supervision or requiring the offender to participate in additional treatment or counseling. For further information about the offender's supervision, you may contact the offender's supervising agent.
INPUT INTO THE CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED SUPERVISION
You may wish to express your concerns and/or feelings regarding the offender's release and the conditions of extended supervision. You may do so by writing to the Office of Victim Services and Programs. The agent will consider your input in determining the conditions of release when the offender is released and placed on extended supervision.
As the victim of a crime, you have these rights:
To be informed when an offender will be released from an institution or correctional center.
To be informed if an offender escapes from an institution or correctional center.
To exercise your rights and enroll for information and notification.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your name and address will be kept confidential. Information you submit to the Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services and Programs will be placed in a confidential file.
VOICE/VINE
VOICE stands for Verbal/Visual Offender Information CEnter. VOICE is an informational service for you, designed and maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services and Programs (OVSP). VOICE is a database of information which includes the VINE telephone service, as well as a communication tool that can be accessed by you in two different ways once you enroll:
Via the Internet at www.victimsvoice.org Automated telephone system at 1-800-398-2403
YOU MUST ENROLL IF YOU WANT NOTICE
If you wish to receive notification regarding the offender's status, i.e. release from an institution or correctional center, escape, apprehension, death, etc. you must complete a VOICE/VINE enrollment card and mail it as indicated on the card, as soon as possible. Also, if you wish to have access to information via the toll-free phone number or the Internet, you must enroll. You may want to send in a VOICE/VINE enrollment card even if the offender is placed on probation, because if the offender does not follow the rules set by the Probation Agent, the offender may be "revoked" and sent to jail or prison. This will ensure that you are notified regarding such a change.
In addition, if you are or ever have been protected from this offender by a restraining order, injunction or no contact order and you want to know when the offender will be released, you must enroll in VOICE/VINE.
If you change your address, or if you no longer want notification, you must notify the Office of Victim Services and Programs, by sending in a new VOICE/VINE enrollment card indicating the requested change.
You can get a new VOICE/VINE card from your District Attorney's Office or the Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services and Programs. A change of address form is also available on the Internet at WIVictimsVoice.org
INFORMATION YOU WILL RECEIVE
If you send in a VOICE/VINE enrollment card, you will be notified when the offender is released from an institution or correctional center or if the offender escapes. In addition, you may indicate on the card your choices regarding other types of notification.
The letter you receive notifying you of the release, will also provide you with the address and phone number of the Division of Community Corrections Unit where the offender will be supervised during the period of extended supervision.
RESTITUTION
What about restitution?
If found guilty, the court shall order the offender to pay for financial losses you suffered as a result of the crime. During the sentencing hearing, the court shall inquire of the District Attorney information regarding the amount of restitution, if any.
If the court has ordered restitution, how will I get paid?
When an offender makes payments, these are forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Cashiers Office. The Cashiers Office issues a check, which is then sent to you. In order to keep your address confidential, the offender does not make payments directly to you.
If you have questions about restitution, contact the DOC Office of Victim Services and Programs or you may contact the DOC Division of Community Corrections office in your area if the offender was placed on probation or is on supervision.
Is there any other way to recover my losses?
Filing a civil law suit is another option for recovering losses. Civil recovery is an action that is separate from the criminal prosecution. Filing a civil action does not stop you from requesting restitution at the time of sentencing in the criminal case. You may contact your Clerk of Courts for information about filing instructions and fees, damage limits and the time frame in which you have to file.
