Columbia County Victim Witness Program

 

Victim Witness Program

Programs and Services

PA SAVIN: Pennsylvania's State Automated Victim Information Notification

This free and confidential notification service can let you know if a particular offender is in jail and also give you other important custody information. Once you sign up, it can call or text you at a phone number of your choice or email you, to let you know when that offender is released, transferred, or escapes. Call 1-866-972-7284 from a touch tone phone and follow the directions. For TTY users: Please call 1-866-847-1298. A TTY operator will assist you in registering to receive updates about a specific offender. Once you have registered remember to keep your pin number in a safe place. Visit their web site at http://pcv.pccd.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx

** PLEASE DO NOT DEPEND SOLELY ON THIS SERVICE FOR YOUR PROTECTION. IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE AT RISK, TAKE PRECAUTIONS AS IF THE OFFENDER HAS ALREADY BEEN RELEASED**

OVA Program and Services

PA Law provides rights for Victims of crime regarding the release decision of sentenced offenders who have been sentenced to a state sentence with a maximum sentence of two or more years. In these cases, Victims have the right to provide comment or testimony to be considered in the release decisions made by the PA Board of Probation and Parole. This opportunity to provide comment and receive notification is facilitated through the Office of Victims Advocate. Visit their web site at http://www.ova.state.pa.us

Victims registered with the OVA will receive a variety of notifications regarding the status of the inmate, including but not limited to the inmate’s consideration for pre-release into a community corrections center, vocational training programs, furloughs, parole consideration, and inmate escape and recapture.

Staff from the Office of Victim Advocate will assist Victims in preparing their testimony, either oral or written, and identification of issues of concern for the inmate’s eventual release into the community.

Other services include:

• Mediation Program for Victims of Violent Crimes
• Address Confidentiality
• Impact of Crime Classes for Inmates
• Capitol Case Assistance
• Apology Letter Bank

 

Restitution

Restitution may be ordered as part of the sentencing. You as the Victim must submit your claim along with substantiating documents within ten days of receiving the initial packet in order for the court to consider restitution.

Victim Compensation Assistance Program

This program covers any non-reimbursable medical expenses, loss of wages or support, loss of ability to earn wages, funeral expenses, relocation expenses, and crime scene clean-up costs. Stolen or damaged property and pain and suffering are NOT covered under VCAP. You may apply online yourself or the Victim/Witness Coordinator can assist you. Visit their web site at http://www.pccd.pa.gov/Victim-Services/Pages/Victims-Compensation-Assistance-Program-(VCAP).aspx