Emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the victim/witness in decisions that involve inmates. Victim's rights have increased as a response to increasing crime. Legislation is described that gives victims input in presentence investigations, protection from intimidation, rights to restitution, input in bail decisions, and development of Federal guidelines for the treatment of victims. In the corrections area, victims are given increased notification rights regarding the status of inmates in parole, transfers, death, escape, transfer to community corrections, and furlough. New programs and legislation are described that aid in compensating victims for losses due to crime. Finally, future challenges to victims' rights are highlighted along with newly implemented policies developed to cope with the new challenges. 6 footnotes.