Inmate and Parole Information

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) is in charge of all adult cases of prison placement and parole notification. Department of Youth Services (DYS) deals with all sentenced delinquents, their prison placement and parole notifications. Both DRC and DYS have an Office of Victim Services, which provide many services, some of which are listed below. For more information about DRC (not listed below), please contact:

Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Office of Victim Services
1050 Freeway Drive, North
Columbus, OH 43229
Toll Free: 1-888-842-8464
Business: 1-614-728-1976
Fax: 1-614-728-1980
TTY: 1-614-752-0633

On the DRC web-site you can find victim information (on the home page, go to the drop down box and click on victim information). You can also find offender information with either the offender's name or offender number. On the home page there is a magnifying glass in the left corner. Click there and enter the offender's name or number. Please be aware that the offender's picture may appear on the screen.

Visit their web-site at http://www.drc.state.oh.us

What are services available to crime victims through the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction?

  • Crisis intervention, community referrals and assistance with concerns related to offenders under the Department's jurisdiction.
  • Information regarding the status of offenders in prison or under supervision of the Department's Adult Parole Authority.
  • Victim notification if upcoming parole hearings and release dates for offenders.
  • Information regarding community education programs.

Other Activities of Victim Services:

  • Petitions the Parole Board for Full Board Hearings, as appropriate.
  • Coordinates network of victim coordinators in state prisons and Adult Parole Authority offices to respond to victims' concerns.
  • Provides education to the Department staff to increase awareness of victims' issues.
  • Assists Parole Board and Adult Parole Authority's parole and probation staff in identifying victims' issues and provides input into the decision-making process, as appropriate.
  • Solicits input from community and victim advocacy agencies and coalitions regarding the Department's victim services via its Ohio Council on Victims Justice.

Commonly Asked Questions

As a crime victim, will I be notified of upcoming parole hearings or release dates for the offender?

To receive notification of upcoming parole hearings, release dates, death of an offender, escape of an offender or pending execution, you must send a written request to:

Office of Victim Services
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
1050 Freeway Drive, North
Columbus, OH 43229

If I registered for notification with the Office of Victim Services, am I automatically registered in the VINE notification system as well?

No. The VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system is a separate automated phone notification system that is available to c crime victims of incarcerated Ohio offenders. You can register for this additional notification by calling 1-800-770-0192. VINE enhances the existing notification services available through the Office of Victim Services, therefore if you are a victim, you should register for both VINE and Office of Victim Services notification systems.

Can I let the Parole Board know how I feel about a possible release of an offender?

Any citizen may send information to the Parole Board at any time regarding their feelings about a potential parole, or, if eligible, supervision under Post-Release Control of an offender. Due to the changes in Ohio law over the past few years, it is possible that the offender's sentence does not include eligibility for parole, but may include supervision upon his/her release. This is known as Post-Release Control.

As a crime victim, if you have concerns regarding the release of an offender, you may send written information or contact the Office of Victim Services to schedule a meeting with a hearing officer or Parole Board memeber to discuss your feelings on their Victim Conference Day.

I have been receiving threats or unwanted calls/correspondences from an offender. What can I do?

Contact the Victim Coordinator at the institution from which the contact is coming and ask for assistance or call the Office of Victim Services.

I would like to meet with the offender who hurt me or my family. Who should I call?

Contact the Office of Victim Services for information on the Victim Offender Dialogue program.

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Department of Youth Services

For more information about DYS (not listed below) , please contact:

Department of Youth Services
Office of Victim Services
Above address
1-800-872-3132

The DYS also has a web-page with victim information and contacts;
visit their web-site at http://www.dys.ohio.gov

What services are available for Victims through Department of Youth Services?

The Department of Youth Services will provide:

  • information, referral services and advocacy on behalf of the victims throughout the juvenile corrections process
  • an opportunity to meet with a representative of the Release Authority;
  • information regarding the status of a youth committed to DYS or under parole supervision;
  • notification of upcoming reviews, releases, discharges and revocation decisions;
  • community education regarding policies and procedures of the Department of Youth Services and the Release Authority; referrals to appropriate federal, state, or local community resources, including victim service agencies;
  • notification of specific rights including the right to designate a victim representative; and,
  • victim input in the form of a Victim Impact Statement.

How does a victim become involved?

The Release Authority must receive a written request if a victim wishes to be notified when an offender is scheduled to be reviewed for release or discharge. The written request should be sent to the Ohio Department of Youth Services - Office of Victim Services, 51 N. High Street, Suite 601 Columbus, Ohio 43215 ph: 614.644.6416 or 800.872.3132

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Office of Victim Services ensure privacy?

Offenders do not have access to the name, address or other personal information about his or her victim, nor are they present if a victim chooses to express his or her views orally to a member or members of the Release Authority. In addition, if a victim does not wish to be personally involved in the process, but wishes to have his or her position taken into consideration, a family member or other representative may be designated to act on the victim's behalf.

As a crime Victim will I be notified of upcoming reviews or hearings for youth committed to DYS?

To receive notification of upcoming hearings or reviews, send a written request with your name, address, and a phone number where you can be contacted. Include the name of the offender, date of the offense, charge and the name of the county in which the offense was committed. Also indicate a PIN (personal identification number), which is a 4 digit code chosen by the caller to be used as a form of identification. A PIN ensures that information is given only to those persons designated by law to receive information regarding a juvenile offender. Send the request to:

Department of Youth Services
Division of Release AuthorityOffice of Victim Services
51 N. High Street, Suite 601
Columbus, Ohio 43215

VINE
(Victim Information and Notification Everyday)

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a technological tool for quickly accessing information about an offender and his/her status in state prison or local jails in Ohio. Commonly asked questions are answered below.

What is VINE?

VINE is a free, anonymous, computer-based service that provides victims of crime two important services: information and notification.

Information

For defendant custody and court information call 1-800-770-0192 and follow the prompts. Callers us basic information to search the VINE database. VINE will quickly provide the caller with offender status information, and will provide information on upcoming court events and hearings.

Notification

Callers may choose to register for automatic telephone notification when an offender has a change in status throughout the criminal justice process. In some cases, letters may be sent.

How do I participate in the VINE program?

To locate an offender in a county jail, state prison or state juvenile facility, or to register for notification, call the VINE hotline directly from a touch-tone phone. Once connected, follow the computer prompts given by the VINE service. During registration you will be asked to provide a telephone number and select a four-digit PIN code. The Ohio VINE services is available in English and Spanish.

Offenders housed in some municipal jail facilities are not yet included in the VINE database.

What is a PIN?

The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a four-digit number chosen by you. Your PIN is used to confirm receipt of notification calls from VINE. Choose a number that is easy for you to remember and write it down.

What if I'm not at home or my phone is busy when VINE calls?

The VINE service is designed to allow every opportunity for you to be notified. If there is no answer or the line is busy, VINE will continue to call for a minimum of 24 hours. VINE will leave a message on an answering machine, but will continue to call for 24 hours or until the PIN is entered.

Can I register more than one telephone number with VINE?

Yes, but each registration must be done separately and requires a PIN. You may use the same PIN for several registrations.

Does VINE ensure my safety?

The VINE program is designed to provide you with quick and easy to access to offender information and to assist you in preparing for an offender's release. Do not depend solely on VINE or any other program for your safety.

Who sponsors VINE?

VINE is provided by Ohio Attorney General, Betty Montgomery, the Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Ohio Department of Youth Services. It is funded by a Victims of Crime Act grant.

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Federal Bureau of Prison's SENTRY Database

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has placed its SENTRY database on the internet for access by the public. This database includes the names of current and former federal inmates going back to 1982. You may read this page at http://www.bop.gov/.

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