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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