DOC Notifications

Attorney General's Office

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How to Register

Any person victimized by an offender who has been sentenced to incarceration in the Wyoming Department of Corrections is eligible to receive information and notification from the Board of Parole regarding the offender’s parole status as per the Wyoming Crime Victim Bill of Rights. Key witnesses and advocates may also register for notifications.

Victims must complete a notification request form in order to receive offender information. As stated below, the form needs to be completed, notarized by the County Attorney’s Office where the crime occurred, and sent to DOC for input into the system. 

1. Obtain a Victim Bill of Rights Notification Request Form.
   
1. Available online – click on link to open
   
2. Available at the prosecutor’s office in the county the crime was committed.  Click here for a list of Victim/Witness Coordinators.   
   
2. Complete the form. Any questions can be directed to the victim assistants in the prosecutor’s offices or the BOP Victim Services Coordinator or the WDOC Victim Program Supervisor.
   
3. Send completed and signed forms to the prosecutor’s offices or to:
   
   Wyoming Department of Corrections
   ATTN: Victim Notification Program
   1934 Wyott Drive, Suite 100
   Cheyenne, WY 82002
   
   
4. Keys things to remember:
   
1. All information provided will be kept confidential.
   
2. The offender will not know if a victim becomes certified unless the victim informs the offender.
   

A victim impact statement (VIS) is one of the most effective means to communicate the “voice of the victim” within the parole process. It is a victim’s description of how the crime affected their life and the lives of their loved ones. The VIS provides the Board vital information delivered orally, in writing, or recorded.

Goals

• Document crucial information about the crime that may not be evident from other materials reviewed, and that can serve to hold offenders accountable for the actual crimes committed.
• Provide a format for victims to present information and participate in the paroling process.

Tips to Remember

• Focus on the victim. This is time for the victim’s voice and feelings to be heard. 
• Shorter and simpler is always more powerful. Be brief and focus on the important points you want the Board to take away. 
• Focus on what the crime means to you physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.
• Describe how your life has changed since the crime.
• Review any concerns you have about a potential release of the offender.
• Make sure your letter is legible.
• Consider including a photograph as part of your statement.

If you need additional assistance or advice in writing or preparing your statement for the Board, please contact our Victim Services Coordinator at 307-777-5390.

Registered victims can submit their input and statements at every stage of the parole process. A hearing notification is typically sent 30-45 days in advance of the inmate’s parole hearing, in which the registered victim is given the opportunity to provide input and have their voice heard. Registered victims have the following options for providing input:

• Appearance in Person
• Phone Conference
• Video Conference
• Written Statement (email included)
• DVD/Video/Audio Recording

Victims are heard prior to inmate hearings at a separate location which is done for security and confidentiality of victims. Offenders are not present, nor are they informed of victim participation.

The Board members realize that it is not easy for victims to speak about the crime and its impact, and they are appreciative of the victims’ participation. They try to make the victim appearance as easy as possible knowing it is a difficult situation. The Board is there to hear the victim’s voice and to have a greater understanding of the crime and of the victim’s concerns. The victims may ask questions in addition to providing their statement. Appearances generally are not longer than 30 minutes.

Victims may bring support persons, a victim advocate, and/or support materials with them. The latter is suggested to be sent prior to the hearing so the Board has the opportunity to review the materials.

Process of Input

• Get registered
• Receive hearing notice
• Send in written statement and/or set up appearance
• Notice of results provided