NCJ Number
179222
Date Published
1997
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This report presents 1997 data and information relevant to the operation of New York State's Victim Notification Program.
Abstract
New York State's victim notification legislation became effective as of November 21, 1985. A 1992 amendment requires such notification in the case of a temporary release (work release). Under Correction Law 149A, the New York State Department of Correctional Services is required to notify victims of specified crimes of various types of inmate release if a notification request has been submitted. The notification request form is given to victims by their respective district attorneys prior to sentencing. Upon completion by the victim, the form is forwarded by the district attorney to the Department of Correctional Services. The various forms of inmate release governed by this statute include escape, abscondence, temporary release, discharge, and parole. Eligible crimes are violent felony offenses (VFOs) as defined in the law and first-degree murder. In addition to the victims themselves, family members of the victims are eligible for notification. The data presented in this report cover the number of victim notification requests on file as of October 5, 1997; commitment crime; county of commitment; commitment year; percent of 1996 VFO commitments under custody as of October 5, 1997, with victim notification requests; verification of victim notification data for 1996 VFO commitments; and percent of 1996 VFO commitments under custody in October 1997 by county of commitment. Appended enabling legislation, sample letter to victim, sample letter to district attorney's office, and a list of district attorney contact persons and mailing addresses