Victim Services Division

Angie McCown
Director

The mission of Victim Services Division is to provide a central mechanism for crime victims to participate in the Criminal Justice System.

Our promise to victims and their families

The TDCJ Victim Services Division is dedicated to providing direct, personal service to victims and their families throughout Texas, as well as, assisting those outside our state to the best of our ability. It is our goal to assure victims that they are not left behind at the crime scene, but can be involved in all parts of the criminal justice system if desired.

How to contact the Victim Services Division

(800) 848-4284
(512) 406-5900
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time)
Email: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us

If you are trying to contact us after business hours, please leave a message and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events/New Services

The National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 21-27, 2013. The TDCJ Victim Services Division participates in the organizing of events held in Austin, Texas. These events include: the Suzanne McDaniel Memorial Tree Planting; a screening of Heaven’s Rain; and the Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Ceremony, which will be livestreamed. For more information, to watch the livestream or to guarantee a seat at any of these free events, click here.
The TDCJ Victim Services Division is pleased to announce that victims registered on our confidential database now have the option to receive notification via email. Click this link to request our new email notification service.

Summary of Services We Provide

Our division is organized into two sections, Notification and Programs. A summary of these sections is provided below.

Notification

Notification Registration

Written Notification

The Victim Notification System (VNS) utilizes a confidential database to provide registrants with notifications regarding offender(s). Notifications are available via email, letter or both. The system provides over 80 points of possible notification, regarding several phases of an offender’s incarceration and the parole review process. Once an individual is added to the VNS, they will receive a confirmation letter with two brochures that further explain our services.

If you are a victim of a crime, surviving family member, witness or concerned citizen, and would like to register for notification on an offender, who is in TDCJ custody or on parole/mandatory supervision, please contact our office at (800) 848-4284 or by email at victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us. If you are currently registered and would like to receive notifications via email click here to request this service.

Automated Telephone Services

In addition to the written notification services, the Victim Services Division offers automated telephone services. VNS registrants can call 877-894-8463 and enter their PIN (Personal Identification Number) to obtain limited offender information 24 hours a day in English or Spanish. If requested through TDCJ-VSD, VNS registrants can receive an automated telephone call when an offender is being processed for release. For more information, please contact our office at (800) 848-4284 or email at victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us.

If you are registered on our Victim Notification System and receive an email, letter, or phone notification from the TDCJ Victim Services Division or the Texas VINE system that you feel is in error, please contact us at (800) 848-4284, (512) 406-5900 or victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us.

The Victim's Role in the Parole Process

Victim's Role

Please click on the link above for instructions on how to submit protest or other information, request to meet with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles during an offender's parole review, and request special conditions of release to parole or on mandatory supervision.

Programs

Below is a list of our programs with a brief description. For more detailed information and contact information, please click on the programs title.

Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse (TxCVC)

The TxCVC is a clearinghouse of information for victims/survivors and victim advocates. The TxCVC revises the Victim Impact Statement, collects the Semi- Annual VIS Activity Report from District and County Attorney’s Offices, provides training for the Victim Impact Statement, produces the Victim’s Informer and other informational brochures, maintains the online Resource Directory and hosts a biennial training conference.

Victim Impact Statement – is a form for victims/survivors to complete during the trial phase. The District or County Attorney’s Office handling the prosecution should provide victims with this form. If the offender is sentenced to TDCJ, the VIS should be forwarded from the courts to TDCJ in the offender’s pen packet. If received and requested by victim(s)/survivor(s) on the VIS, we will add those individuals to our confidential Victim Notification System. By clicking on the title, you will find the VIS forms in English and Spanish, the Just for Kids VIS, the VIS Activity Report (to be completed by District and County Victim Assistance Coordinators) and other helpful information. To make sure current forms are being used, please check revision dates located on the bottom left corner of all VIS forms.

We are currently scheduling Victim Impact Statements: The Victims’ Voice in the Criminal Justice Process. This training is free of charge and is designed for victim assistance and criminal justice professionals with statutory responsibilities for the handling of victim impact statements. This includes victim assistance coordinators in district and county attorneys’ offices, prosecutors, court coordinators, district clerks, judges, probation officers, law enforcement personnel and sheriff’s department staff who prepare pen packets. Please contact our staff if you are interested in requesting this free training at (936) 437-4942.

Victim’s Informer newsletter – TxCVC produces this informational newsletter quarterly. Our past newsletters can be viewed by clicking here.

To request to be added to the Victim's Informer email notification list, please complete the Online Form for Victim's Informer Mailing List. To ensure the delivery of the Victim's Informer, please add our email, tdcj.clearinghouse@tdcj.state.tx.us, to your list of contacts.

Crime Victim Assistance Standards - a publication developed to aid law enforcement officers and attorneys representing the State of Texas

VSD Publications – VSD publications include brochures on Crime Victim’s Rights, Additional Crime Victim’s Rights, Victim Services Division services, and other criminal justice and victim services information.

If you would like to order any of our brochures, please complete the Online Publication Order form.

Online Resource Directory – is a web-based resource for victims/survivors and victim advocates who are seeking local resources. Resources are categorized by the county(ies) they serve.

TxCVC Conference – is a training conference for victim advocates, criminal justice professionals and victims held in Texas.

Viewing Executions – In January 1996, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice adopted a board rule permitting victim witnesses to view executions.

Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue (VOM/D)

VOM/D is a victim-initiated and victim-centered program that allows a victim/survivor to request to meet face-to-face with the offender who is responsible for their victimization. Victims or surviving family members may consider this service for a multitude of reasons and may also request to conduct a creative alternative mediation, which are typically not face-to-face meetings.

Victim Resources

Victim Assistance Resource Directory

Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Victim Services Division
8712 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 265
Austin, TX 78757-1032
(800) 848-4284
Fax: (512) 452-0825
E-mail: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 13401 Capital Station
Austin, Texas 78711-3401