(Madison)---During the week of April 6th 2003, the Department of
Corrections will launch the enhanced VOICE Web site providing crime
victims and their families access to offender information via the
Internet. The acronym VOICE stands for Visual Offender
Information Center. When the site is
launched, over 15,000 crime victims currently enrolled in the
Department’s Office of Victim Services and Programs will have access to
offender information via the Internet using their 10-digit Victim
Identification Number.
"On March 20th, I signed a proclamation declaring the week of April
6th through the 12th Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Wisconsin. What
better way to commemorate this year’s theme, ‘Victims’ Rights - Fulfill
the Promise’ than to provide crime victims and survivors with easy
access to information they want and need," said Governor Jim Doyle.
Victims have been able to access Department of Corrections offender
information since 1996 via an automated phone service known as VINE,
Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Now, the VOICE Internet
site at
will offer victims
additional Web-based information such as offender status, location,
mandatory release date, and maximum discharge date.
"Because the week of April 6th through 12th is Crime Victims’ Rights
Week, 2003, this is a fitting time to formally announce this new
Internet service," said Matthew J. Frank, Secretary of the Wisconsin
Department of Corrections. "Future enhancements to the VOICE Web site
will include a secure Internet Message Center and offender photos."
In addition to information access any time, day or night, the VOICE
Web site will provide another means of notifying victims of changes in
an offender’s status. The Department's Office of Victim Services and
Programs currently sends approximately 450 notification letters each
month to enrolled victims via US Mail. Through planned enhancements to
the VOICE Internet site, victims will be able to select the types of
notifications they receive based on their preferences and the means of
delivery for these important notifications, either via a secure Internet
Message Center or US Mail or both.
"We recognize that when someone is victimized by crime, many choices
are taken away. Providing victims and survivors with choices regarding
access to information is one way we can help victims regain a sense of
control in their lives," said Colleen Jo Winston, Director of the Office
of Victim Services and Programs.
Victims or survivors of crimes committed in Wisconsin who would like
to enroll with the Office of Victim Services and Programs may contact
the Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services and Programs by
phone at 1-800-947-5777 or electronically via the VOICE Internet site at
