Will I find out when the person who harmed me will be released from prison?

Yes, if both are true:

1. You're a survivor of certain types of violent crimes.
2. The person who hurt you is in a prison in Washington State. 

It depends on the offense. 

You can get advance notification under this program if you are a survivor of one of these types of crimes:

• Any violent, sex, felony harassment, or domestic violence offense
• Violation of a domestic violence court order
• Third degree assault
• Unlawful imprisonment
• Vehicular or substance abuse homicide, if you are next of kin of the homicide victim

You should sign up for the Advance Notification Program of the state Department of Corrections (DOC). It will tell you at least 30 days before their release when a prison is going to let someone out.

• Any victim of or witness to one of the types of crime listed above, where the person who did this to you was convicted, can sign up.
• Any next of kin to a murder victim, including vehicular homicide and controlled substances homicide, can sign up.
• You can sign up if the prosecutor writes you to tell you that you can. 

Sign up for Washington VINELink to get important victim safety notices, such as: 

• If the perpetrator is transferred or released from jail or prison 
• If the perpetrator tries to buy or transfer a firearm while they are prohibited and are denied
• When your protective order is served
• A reminder 90-days before your protective order expires

For some violent crimes, you can apply to the Department of Corrections for advance notice of transfer or release.

If you might need safety planning, start now. Victim advocates across the state with training can help survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and violent crime. They can help you with safety planning and getting protection orders to help protect you and your family. 

Under state law, you should get notice at least 30 days before their release. 

The county where a jail is located decides releases from jail. Call the prosecutor’s office handling the person’s criminal case. Ask them to let you know if that person is going to be let out of jail.

Community organizations can help! If you’ve experienced domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault, or the threat of any of these, get help from your local domestic violence shelter or sexual assault center. Shelters provide safety planning, temporary shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and other services. 

Visit Washington State Domestic Violence Information & Referral to search for local programs by county, or for culturally/community specific or Tribal programs. 

You can call, text, or chat online with advocates 24/7 at any of these: 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233
• National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673
• StrongHearts Native Helpline (a peer support service of the National DV Hotline), 1-844-762-8483

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) - NJP provides legal services and referrals for domestic violence and Victim of Crime Act help.

You don’t have to pay to file for or have served a civil domestic violence or sexual assault protection order in the state of Washington.