Victim Services FAQs

A victim is a person a criminal offense has been committed against. If a person is killed or debilitated, that person’s spouse, parent, child or other lawful representative.

The most effective way to be notrified is to sign up for VINE. More information can found here.

The Iowa DOC Victim Services serves as the point of contact for victims of crime by providing information and resources to inquiries related to inmates during their time in the DOC system. The Iowa DOC can also help victims find helpful resources and support groups in an immediate area.

It is not unusual for the Iowa DOC to move inmates to different facilities. Several reasons are, but not limited to: inmate custody level, program needs, security, disciplinary issues or bed management.

Inmates cannot make contact with individuals they have victimized. However, there is an offender apology bank, where an inmate can write a letter to a victim and the victim will be notified they have a letter from the inmate in their case. It is up to the individual whether or not they choose to read the letter.

If you are being harassed, threatened, or are receiving unwanted communication of any kind from an offender in a DOC facility or under the supervision of DOC in the community, please contact Victim Services at (800) 778-1182. Our staff will assist you in getting the unwanted behavior stopped and assist you with necessary safety measures.

The length of the offender's sentence determines the eligibility for parole hearings. Therefore, the shorter the sentence the sooner the offender will have a parole hearing.

No. The offender will either have another parole hearing scheduled or the offender will be set for a future release date. A parole hearing does not imply release is imminent.

The above information about the offender is confidential by law.  

Once the offender has been sentenced to the Department of Corrections, he or she is assigned a DOC number, fingerprinted, photographed and given medical and dental examinations.

During the initial evaluation, staff determine and assign a security level for each offender. The security level determination is a systematic process based upon factors such as the offender’s characteristics, history and needs, criminal history, outstanding detainers and warrants, age, education and recent employment history.

Background factors, such as previous terms of incarceration, prior escapes and past disciplinary problems, also effect the security assignment. As a result of the security level assessment, the offender is placed in the appropriate custody level, with appropriate supervision requirements and programming recommendations.

This process results in the assignment of the offender to a correctional institution. The offender’s security placement can change during his or her incarceration because of the length of time served, disciplinary behavior, programming and treatment progress and time of release.

Victims will still contact the Iowa Department of Corrections at mary.roche@iowa.gov or madison.elbert@iowa.gov  or (800) 778-1182.