The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Victim Services Division (VSD) has strategically placed Regional Victim Services Coordinators (RVSCs) to provide direct services to victims of violent crime. The RVSCs can assist local victim service and criminal justice professionals at district and county attorney offices, law enforcement agencies, and community-based organizations. The RVSCs are also available to serve on victim services coalitions or task force groups and provide training to victim service and criminal justice professionals. These efforts aim to increase the knowledge and understanding of crime victims’ post-conviction rights and promote victims’ access to their rights and available services.

Services
Direct services available to victims of crime include but are not limited to:

Accompaniment and support, upon request, during:

appellate court hearings
Victim Impact Panels
executions
other criminal justice events
parole review hearings
Assistance with:

completing and submitting a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) form
exercising crime victims' rights
completing, submitting, and verifying the status of an application for Crime Victims' Compensation
registering in the Integrated Victim Services System (IVSS)
developing a safety plan
submitting protest materials
referrals to other available services in the area
Information about:

VSD Services
parole review process, procedures, and considerations
the Victim Impact Statement
post-conviction crime victims' rights
the execution process
the criminal justice system
clemency
Crime Victims' Compensation and restitution
Execution Process Assistance
The RVSCs work with the victims’ families during the execution process. The Texas Administrative Code §152.51 authorizes five close relatives of the victim for whose death the inmate has been scheduled for execution, and a spiritual advisor to attend the execution as victim witnesses. The RVSCs prepare and accompany both the victim witnesses and support persons during the entire execution process. The RVSCs also provide follow-up support and referrals as needed.

Training, Outreach, and Coordination
The RVSCs work closely with local victim service and criminal justice professionals to ensure the timely processing of victim impact statements and a continuum of services for victims entering the post-conviction phase of the criminal justice system. The RVSCs are also available to provide partner agencies with training and technical assistance on the Victim Impact Statement, post-conviction rights of crime victims, VSD services, and more.