Victims' Resources
What Is the Interstate Compact?
The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) is a formal agreement among all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that establishes a uniform set of rules for supervising individuals on community supervision who move from one state to another.
The Compact provides a structured framework for states to work together to ensure that supervision continues seamlessly and effectively. Through this collaboration, ICAOS helps to:
Promote public and victim safety
Maintain accountability for individuals under supervision
Enforce court-ordered conditions
Support consistent and coordinated supervision across jurisdictions
ICAOS operates in partnership with courts, supervision agencies, and victim services. It does not replace state law or alter victims’ rights, but rather supports and strengthens how states carry out their responsibilities under those laws.
How the Interstate Compact Relates to Victims
When an individual under community supervision relocates, or seeks to relocate, to another state, the Interstate Compact ensures that supervision remains continuous and consistent across state lines. This includes:
Ongoing enforcement of supervision conditions, including those related to victims
Continued communication between states to support appropriate supervision
Transfer of day-to-day supervision responsibilities to the receiving state
The Compact is designed to support effective interstate supervision and protect public safety. It does not create benefits for individuals under supervision, but instead ensures that states maintain accountability and uphold lawful supervision practices, including those that impact victims.
Victim Notification and State Law
Victim notification requirements are governed by state law, not by the Interstate Compact. However, Compact rules require states to:
Enforce court-ordered conditions of supervision
Apply victim-related restrictions, such as no-contact provisions
Share relevant information to support appropriate supervision across states
Victims’ rights, including notification and access to services, are determined by the laws of the state where the case originated and, in some situations, the state responsible for supervision.
If You Have Questions or Concerns
If you have questions or concerns about an individual under interstate supervision, you may contact your state's:
Local probation or parole agency
Victim services or advocacy organization
Victim notification service agency (if available)
These resources can provide case-specific information and help explain your rights under state law.
What the Interstate Compact Does Not Do
The Interstate Compact does not:
Determine guilt or innocence
Modify court-ordered sentences or supervision conditions
Override state laws related to victim rights and protections
Replace or eliminate victim notification requirements under state law
Permit individuals under supervision to relocate without proper approval
All interstate transfers must comply with ICAOS rules and applicable state laws.