28 CFR § 551.151 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t28/s551.151"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "28 CFR § 551.151 - Definitions."
title_number: 28
title_name: "Judicial Administration"
section_number: "551.151"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "551"
part_name: "MISCELLANEOUS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 1512, 3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4005, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 4161-4166 (Repealed as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 5006-5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed after that date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; Pub. L. 99-500 (sec. 209); Attorney General's May 1, 1995 Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance."
regulatory_source: "44 FR 38252, June 29, 1979, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "551"
---


# 551.151 Definitions.

(a) For purpose of this rule, *victim* is generally defined as someone who suffers direct or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of the commission of a crime. The term “victim” also includes the immediate family of a minor or a homicide victim.

(b) For purpose of this rule, *witness* is defined as someone who has information or evidence concerning a crime, and provides information regarding this knowledge to a law enforcement agency. Where the witness is a minor, the term “witness” includes an appropriate family member. The term “witness” does not include defense witnesses or those individuals involved in the crime as a perpetrator or accomplice.

(c) For purpose of this rule, *serious crime* is defined as a criminal offense that involves personal violence, attempted or threatened personal violence or significant property loss.

(d) For purpose of this rule, the phrase *release from a Bureau institution* refers to an inmate's furlough, parole (including appearance before the Parole Commission), transfer to a State or local detention facility, transfer to a community corrections center, mandatory release, expiration of sentence, escape (including apprehension), death, and other such release-related information.

[49 FR 18386, Apr. 30, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 6178, Feb. 21, 1990; 64 FR 68265, Dec. 6, 1999]