Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS)

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The Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) is a victim services program within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

What does OVSRS do?

OVSRS works to ensure crime victims and survivors are afforded the utmost respect in exercising their legal rights in the post-conviction process. OVSRS is responsible for providing information, restitution collections, outreach, training, and referral and support services to crime victims, survivors, and witnesses. OVSRS also handles most of the administrative details for victims/survivors participating in the parole process.

OVSRS ofrece servicios bilingües en español. 

Often, the first step to receiving information and services from OVSRS is to “register” for notifications. This process is described below.

For more information, visit the OVSRS website. 

Register with OVSRS

Victims/survivors can register with OVSRS for notifications of upcoming hearings or any change in the incarcerated person’s “custody status.” 

Once a victim/survivor submits this request, they are “registered” with OVSRS and will automatically receive updates of any of the following events:

• Parole Hearing
• Release
• Death
• Execution
• Escape
• Name/gender change
• Contract

Victims/survivors may register with OVSRS at any time after the person who caused harm in their case is convicted and sentenced.

To register with OVSRS and request notifications: Follow instructions for submitting a CDCR Form 1707 “Request for Victim Services” to OVSRS here. (El formulario 1707 está disponible en español.) Victims/survivors may complete the form online, or print the form and submit it to OVSRS via mail, email, or fax. 

Victims/survivors may elect to receive notifications by email or mail, and must keep their contact information current with OVSRS to ensure they receive updates.

If a victim/survivor has requested notice, the California Board of Parole Hearings (Board) must notify them of an upcoming parole hearing at least 90 days before the hearing. 

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Victims/survivors may contact OVSRS with any questions or concerns. OVSRS can be reached in the following ways:

• Email (victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov).
• Call toll-free at 1-877-256-OVSS (6877).
• Connect directly with a Victim Services Analyst via Live Chat on the OVSRS website.

OVSRS ofrece servicios bilingües en español.