Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Collecting from Offenders, Caring for Victims


Our mission at CalVCP is to serve victims and help them recover from the traumatic impact of crime. A critical part in providing this service is the Restitution Fund, which we use to pay victims’ crime-related expenses. It is fueled by fines and orders levied by judges against criminal offenders. This process not only helps victims become whole, it also helps to rehabilitate offenders as they are forced to face the impact of their crimes, and at the same time contribute to their victims’ healing.

The Court Ordered Debt Program
has collected over $7 million
during the last year, money that
can help pay expenses for victims
of violent crime.
In July 2011, staff from the CalVCP Fiscal Services Division Court Ordered Debt Program began processing over 400,000 fine cases that had gone unpaid by criminal offenders. Their job is to track down offenders who still owe money to the fund after they are discharged from prison. Working in conjunction with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Franchise Tax Board, they ensure the collection of the debts owed to these victims of crime.

The Court Ordered Debt Program has collected over $7 million during this fiscal year alone! That’s $7 million that CalVCP can put toward medical bills, lost wages, counseling and other expenses for victims of violent crime.

Our Fiscal Services staff has worked diligently for these dollars. They have handled over 59,000 calls since July 2011, tracking hundreds of thousands of cases in a massive database that is constantly updated with new information.

I couldn’t be more proud of the staff in the Court Ordered Debt Program. Their accomplishments will help many victims in need. They exemplify CalVCP’s commitment to make restitution a cornerstone of our program. Join me in congratulating them and thanking them for their dedication to victims. Keep up the good work.

Portrait of Julie Nauman
Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB), appointed in 2008. VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.