The Arizona Department of Corrections, Office of Victim Services
has initiated a new program called the Impact of Crime on Victims
Classes (“ICVC”), designed to focus on giving victims a voice.
The ICVC uses written exercises, videos and victim impact panels
to bring the offender face-to-face with not just a crime but a
person directly affected by the crime. Offenders who participate
attend a 10-week program that meets twice a week. Each week covers
a different type of victimization. The first class of the week
provides information to the offenders about the crime and offers
them the opportunity to begin exploring the impact of their
crimes on both the victim and the community. The second class of
the week allows victims to share with offenders their own
experience and the impact the crime had on their lives. When a
victim is not available for a specific topic, we rely on subject
matter experts to discuss how a particular crime impacts victims
and the community.
The goal of this class is to have offenders:
- Understand victimization.
- Acknowledge that their actions were not “bad luck” choices that resulted in getting caught, but rather “bad decisions” that caused someone harm.
- Become aware of short and long-term victimization.
- Accept accountability for the crimes they committed.
- Learn how to contribute to a Restorative Justice model, both during and after incarceration (or release from supervision).
- Develop skills to help prevent future crime and victimization.
The ICVC program is currently at most of the prisons and continues
to expand statewide. The feedback has been remarkable. The
victims/survivors who have spoken are very supportive of the
program and feel empowered by the experience. The offenders
learned the emotional, physical and psychological impact of
crime and stated how impacted they were by the victims who spoke.
Offenders participating do not receive any special consideration
for parole participation. What they do get is understanding
and the ability to improve themselves. In every unit that has
held a class, there is a waiting list for the next class.
The crimes covered in this class are:
- Substance abuse
- Robbery and property crimes
- Drunk driving
- Child abuse
- Crimes against the elderly
- Assault
- Domestic violence
- Sexual assault
- Homicide
If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to participate in
this program as a speaker, please contact the
Restorative
Justice Coordinator with
the Office of Victim Services.
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