How is Certification Obtained?
Certification occurs after the offender is sentenced to a term of incarceration to be served in an adult county or state correctional facility. Applications are completed by the applicant with the assistance of a Victim Witness Advocate from the District Attorney’s Office or the Victim Service Units of the Masssachusetts Parole Board, Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) and the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB). Applications are submitted to the CHSB which is responsible for approving all certifications. To insure timely certification and notification, applications should be made immediately following the disposition of the criminal case. Offenders are not informed of an individual’s certification status.
